OREANDA-NEWS. Union Pacific plans to invest more than \$109 million in 2015 to improve Iowa's transportation infrastructure. The company's multi-million dollar private investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency. Freight railroads like Union Pacific operate on track built and maintained without taxpayer funds. Union Pacific's private investments sustain jobs and ensure the company meets growing demand for products used in the resurgent American economy.

Union Pacific's planned investment covers a range of initiatives: \$105 million to maintain railroad track, \$1.5 million to enhance signal systems and \$2.8 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

  • \$18.3 million investment in the rail line between Bradford and near Mason City to replace more than 34 miles of rail, repair the surfaces at 37 road crossings and replace seven switches.
  • \$13.3 million investment in the rail line between Garden City and Grant to replace nearly 23 miles of rail, repair the surfaces at 30 road crossings and replace nine switches.
  • \$12 million investment in the rail line between Ames and near Belle Plaine to replace 83,300 railroad ties and install 25,100 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 67 road crossings.

This year's planned more-than-\$109 million capital expenditure in Iowa is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested \$359 million strengthening Iowa's 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."

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.