Union Pacific Plans to Invest $27 Million in its Minnesota Rail Infrastructure

From #UnionPacific:

Union Pacific Plans to Invest $27 Million in its Minnesota Rail Infrastructure

Investments enhance community safety and railroad efficiency

OMAHA, NEB., MAY 08, 2015

Union Pacific plans to invest $27 million in 2015 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 resurgent American economy.

Union Pacific's planned investment covers a range of initiatives: more than $26 million to maintain railroad track, $213,000 to enhance signal systems and nearly $475,000 to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

• $7 million investment in three rail yards in the South St. Paul area to replace 19,000 railroad ties, install 6,500 tons of rock ballast and replace two switches.
• $5.3 million investment in the rail line between Worthington and Minnesota/Iowa border to replace 34,800 railroad ties and install 11,000 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 24 road crossings.

This year's planned $27 million capital expenditure in Minnesota is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested nearly $102 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 $4.2 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling more than $31 billion from 2005-2014. These investments contributed to a 38 percent decrease in derailments over the last 10 years.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

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