(Union Pacific issued the following on May 14, 2009.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Motorists will spend less time at crossings waiting for trains to pass with trains operating more efficiently as a result of more than $36 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Chicago-to-Villa Grove, Ill., line.
When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 155,000 ties, spread 74,600 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed and renewed the road surfaces at 152 crossings. Work began on the project May 8 and is scheduled to be completed by mid August.
Union Pacific invested nearly $240 million for capital projects in Illinois in 2008.
During 2009, Union Pacific plans to invest $1.7 billion in strengthening the track infrastructure across its more than 32,000-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 its customers’ current and future transportation needs.
Improved and additional rail capacity benefits everyone. It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment – freight train emissions are one-third as much as trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on America’s highways since a single train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.