(Union Pacific issued the following on July 1.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad is investing $3.8 million this year on track improvements between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Fremont, Neb.
When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed 14,000 ties, spread 3,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed, replaced the road surfaces at 21 crossings and installed four crossovers that move trains from one track to another. Work will begin on these projects July 2 and are scheduled to be completed by July 8. The crossing surface improvements will be completed by mid September.
These improvements are part of the $1.6 billion Union Pacific plans to invest in 2008 to maintain track across its more than 32,300-mile system. This extensive investment in the railroad’s track helps ensure Union Pacific has the capability to offer quality, safe and cost-effective service to meet our customers’ current and future transportation needs. Following track improvement projects, communities benefit from smoother road crossing surfaces. Trains do not occupy crossings as long because they can operate more efficiently.