(Source: Union Pacific Railroad press releases, February 13, 2012)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad is enhancing the Oregon transportation infrastructure by investing $6.5 million in its Kenton and Graham Lines in the Portland Metropolitan area.
The project includes installing nearly 35,000 railroad ties, placing 435 tons of new rock ballast to help provide a more stable roadbed and surfacing 36 miles of track. In addition, crews will be renewing the surfaces at 23 road crossings. Tie installation and track surfacing will be completed in late February. The crossing renewal projects should be completed midyear 2012.
The Kenton Line parallels Highway 30/NE Lombard Street between Troutdale, Ore., and North Portland. The Graham Line parallels I-84 between I-5 and Troutdale. The track work will start on the Kenton Line in Troutdale and will move westerly and will loop back around moving easterly on the Graham Line and will finish in Troutdale.
Additionally, Union Pacific is enhancing California’s transportation infrastructure by investing $10.6 million in the rail line that runs between Santa Barbara and Camarillo. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.
The 60-mile project includes replacing nearly 63,000 railroad ties and installing more than 38,000 tons of rock ballast to help provide a more stable roadbed. In addition, crews will be renewing the surfaces at 72 road crossings.
Union Pacific plans to invest $3.6 billion in its rail network during 2012, supporting America’s current and future freight transportation needs and enhancing the safety and efficiency of the railroad’s 32,000-mile network.