Union Pacific invests $119 million in its Illinois rail infrastructure

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Union Pacific plans to invest $119 million in 2015 to improve Illinois' transportation infrastructure. The investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.

 

Union Pacific’s planned investment covers a range of initiatives including nearly $105 million to maintain railroad track, $5 million to enhance signal systems and $9 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state.

Key projects planned this year include a $9.7-million investment in the rail line between Chester and near Thebes to replace 71,000 ties, install 9,175 tons of ballast and repair the surfaces at 66 road crossings; a $8.6-million investment in the rail line between O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and near the Illinois/Wisconsin border to replace more than 15 miles of rail in various locations and repair the surfaces at 40 road crossings and a $7.7-million investment in the rail line between Chester and near Cora to replace more than 14 miles of rail in various locations and repair the surfaces at 10 road crossings.

This year’s planned $119-million capital expenditure in Illinois is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014, Union Pacific invested more than $840 million strengthening Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.

“We constantly evaluate our customers’ needs to make targeted investments that enhance our efficiency and deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily,” said Donna Kush, Union Pacific vice president public affairs, Northern Region. “Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific’s unwavering safety commitment.”

 

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