OREANDA-NEWS. May 29, 2015. Union Pacific plans to invest \\$27 million in 2015 to improve Oklahoma'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: \\$23 million to maintain railroad track, \\$634,000 to enhance signal systems and \\$3 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

  • \\$13 million investment in the rail line between Big Cabin and Rentiesville to replace 84,820 railroad ties and install 40,249 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 89 road crossings.
  • \\$3 million investment in the rail line between the Oklahoma/Kansas line and Wagoner to replace 23,939 railroad ties and install 332 tons of rock ballast.

This year's planned \\$27 million capital expenditure in Oklahoma is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested more than \\$236 million strengthening Oklahoma'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.