UP schedules $6 million in work for Wisconsin infrastructure

Union Pacific plans to invest nearly $6 million in 2015 to improve Wisconsin's transportation infrastructure, which the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.

UP’s investment covers a range of initiatives including $4.6 million to maintain track, $223,000 to enhance signal systems and $1 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state.

Key projects progressing in the state this year include a $1.7-million investment in the rail line between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls to replace 10,900 ties and install 6,800 tons of ballast; a $1.6-million investment in the rail line near Rusk to replace eight switches and a $1.3-million investment in the rail line between near Oxford and Milwaukee to replace more than one mile of rail in various curves.

This year’s nearly $6-million capital expenditure in Wisconsin is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested $155 million strengthening Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure.

During the past few weeks, Union Pacific has detailed state investment plans in Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming, Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois.