(Source: Union Pacific press release, June 20, 2016)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific plans to invest $9.9 million in 2016 to improve Minnesota’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: $9.1 million to maintain railroad track and more than $800,000 to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:
• A $3.3 million investment between Mankato and St. James to replace more than 21,000 railroad ties.
• A more than $800,000 investment replacing nearly 5,000 railroad ties on yard and industry tracks in St. Paul and South St. Paul.
This year’s planned $9.9 million capital expenditure in Minnesota is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2011 to 2015 Union Pacific invested more than $50 million strengthening Minnesota’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 Donna Kush, Union Pacific vice president – Public Affairs, Northern Region. “Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific’s unwavering safety commitment.”
Union Pacific plans to spend $3.675 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.