(The Associated Press circulated the following on may 23.)
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Its expansion plans in Arizona already under a regulatory spotlight, Union Pacific jumped the gun on the first of dozens of road crossings that it plans rebuild to accommodate the addition of a second track to the railroad’s main line across southern Arizona.
Union Pacific’s rebuilding of a crossing in Bowie without getting required Arizona Corporation Commission approval drew criticism from a commission member and prompted the railroad to apologize.
“This is a mistake that we don’t intend to repeat,” Union Pacific spokesman James Barnes said Tuesday.
Commissioner Kris Mayes said she was astounded that Union Pacific rebuilt the crossing without permission after commissioners made it clear a month ago that they intended to scrutinize all of the crossing projects to see whether Union Pacific should be required to make costly changes for safety reasons.
Barnes said it was a mistake that the work was done without authorization.”