OREANDA-NEWS. May 29, 2015. Union Pacific plans to invest \\$98 million in 2015 to improve Arkansas'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: \\$81 million to maintain railroad track, \\$8 million to enhance signal systems and \\$8 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

  • \\$23 million investment in the rail line between Gould and the border with Louisiana to replace 44 miles of rail and repair the surfaces at 65 road crossings.
  • \\$9.7 million investment in the rail line between Knoxville and Van Buren to replace 65,251 railroad ties and install 28,107 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 62 road crossings.
  • \\$7.1 million investment in the rail line between Hope and Texarkana to replace 50,383 railroad ties and install 21,910 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 40 road crossings.

This year's planned \\$98 million capital expenditure in Arkansas is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested more than \\$663 million strengthening Arkansas'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 Brenda Mainwaring, Union Pacific vice president - Public Affairs, Southern 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.