UP to perform $120 million in work on its Kansas infrastructure

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

Union Pacific's Kansas infrastructure will see $120 million in improvements as part of the railroads 2015 capital plan. Between 2010 and 2014, the railroad has spent more than $482 million to strengthen the state's transportation infrastructure.

 

UP says this year’s planned investment in Kansas covers a range of initiatives including nearly $110 million to maintain track, $2.2 million to enhance signal systems and $7.5 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state.

Additionally, the railroad will progress key projects in the state such as replacing nearly 25 miles of rail and repairing the surfaces at 43 crossings on the rail line between Whiteside and Pratt at a cost of $20.2 million; investing $12.6 million into the line between Waldeck and near McPherson to replace more than 15 miles of rail and repair 28 crossing surfaces and spending $7.7 million on its line between Oakley and Sharon Springs to replace 68,500 ties, install 38,700 tons of ballast and repair 21 crossing surfaces.

“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.”

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 past 10 years.

During the past two weeks, Union Pacific has detailed state investment plans, totaling $707.5 million, in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming, Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois.

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