(Source: Union Pacific press release, May 31, 2016)
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Union Pacific plans to invest $35.8 million in 2016 to improve Idaho’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 American economy.
Union Pacific’s planned investment covers a range of initiatives: $34.9 million to maintain railroad track and $883 thousand to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:
• $3.3 million investment in the rail line in Pocatello to replace 27,704 railroad ties.
• $8.2 million investment in the rail line between Mountain Home and Boise to replace 60,510 railroad ties.
• $4.2 million investment in the rail line along the Pocatello Subdivision and within the Pocatello Yard to replace 3 miles of rail and 24,000 railroad ties.
This year’s planned $35.8 million capital expenditure in Idaho is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2011 to 2015 Union Pacific invested more than $135 million strengthening Idaho’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 Wes Lujan, 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 $3.75 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling approximately $33 billion from 2006-2015. These investments contributed to a 25 percent decrease in derailments over the last 10 years.