OREANDA-NEWS. June 08, 2015. Union Pacific plans to invest about \\$137 million in 2015 to improve California'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: nearly \\$117 million to maintain railroad track, \\$9 million to enhance signal systems and \\$11 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

  • \\$24 million investment in the rail line between Butte and Plumas counties to replace nearly 37 miles of rail.
  • \\$8 million investment in the rail line between East Mojave and Wash to replace 51,339 railroad ties and install 22,770 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 18 road crossings.

This year's planned \\$137 million capital expenditure in California is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested more than \\$1.6 billion strengthening California'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 Scott Moore, Union Pacific vice president - Public Affairs, Western 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.