(The following story by Pratik Joshi appeared on the Tri-City Herald website on June 27, 2009.)
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Union Pacific is investing money to strengthen its railroad infrastructure in the Tri-Cities.
The company recently started a program to replace old, worn ties on its industrial rail line that serves local industries.
The 20-mile track — between the Tri-Cities and Wallula — is being upgraded at the cost of $2.8 million, said Zoe Richmond, company spokeswoman for the western region.
It will promote safety and help Union Pacific better serve its customers, she said, noting it’s a significant investment at a time when rail business is slow. The project continues through the end of September.
But the Kennewick part of the project that involved about 185 workers wound up Friday, said Randy Ruiz, a track supervisor on the project.
Groups of workers on alternating shifts removed ties, fixed metal plates on the track and did other maintenance, he said. “We even hired about 30 to 40 local workers to flag traffic at the crossings,” Ruiz said. His crews made sure their work didn’t affect traffic, particularly near Fruitland Street and Canal Drive, he said.
The track hasn’t seen much servicing in 20 years because it’s used just once a day by a train that travels 10 mph, Ruiz said. It has different maintenance standards compared with a major line with high-speed traffic, he explained.