Union Pacific plans $85 million investment in Washington and Oregon property

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Union Pacific's infrastructure in Oregon and Washington state will see $85 million in track and signal work that the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety while increasing rail operating efficiency.

 

UP will spend $81 million in Oregon that includes $67 million to maintain track, $5 million to enhance signal systems and $9 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. The railroad has spent more than $520 million between 2010 and 2014 strengthening its infrastructure in the state.

Additional key projects planned this year in Oregon include a $12.4 million investment in the rail line between Portland and La Grande to replace 91,521 ties, install 56,681 tons of ballast repair the surfaces at 40 road crossings; $11 million will be spent in the rail line between Hermiston and Wallula to replace 22 miles of rail and $7.7 million will be put into the rail line between Portland and Salem to replace 62,414 ties and install 25,695 tons of ballast.

Just north, in Washington state, the railroad is planning to spend $4 million. The bulk of that investment, $3 million will be spent on maintaining track with the remaining million going toward signal systems enhancement. The $4 million UP plans to invest in Washington adds to the $93 million the railroad has spent in the state between 2010 and 2014.

Other Washington projects that will see progress this year include a $1.2 million investment in the rail line near Seattle to replace nearly 5 miles of rail and a $871,000 investment in the rail line between Spokane and Wallula to replace nearly one mile of rail in various curves and repair the surfaces at seven road crossings.

“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 Scott Moore, Union Pacific vice president – Public Affairs, Western Region. “Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific’s unwavering safety commitment.”

Union Pacific plans to spend $4.2 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling more than $31 billion from 2005-2014. These investments contributed to a 38 percent decrease in derailments over the last 10 years.

Union Pacific plans to spend $4.2 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling more than $31 billion from 2005-2014. These investments contributed to a 38 percent decrease in derailments during the past 10 years.

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