OREANDA-NEWS. Union Pacific Railroad will strengthen Iowa's transportation infrastructure by investing USD 8 million in the rail line between Lowden and near Blairstown. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific without taxpayer dollars, began on September 18 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

The railroad will install nearly 52,000 ties, replace a total of one mile of rail in various curves and renew the surfaces at 71 road crossings. The project is one of nearly 1,500 Union Pacific will complete across its 32,000-mile network this year to help improve train operating efficiency, reduce motorist wait times at crossings and enhance safety.

"Union Pacific helps link businesses with consumers, suppliers and markets across the nation and around the world," said Donna Kush, Union Pacific vice president - Public Affairs, Northern Region. "In addition to helping move customers' goods more safely and efficiently, our investments support communities by reducing traffic congestion, facilitating industrial development and, promoting economic expansion."

Improved and additional freight rail capacity helps reduce highway congestion and contributes to a cleaner environment. One Union Pacific train can take up to 300 trucks off America's roads, and Union Pacific can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel.