OREANDA-NEWS. Union Pacific plans to invest about \$120 million in 2015 to improve Kansas' 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: nearly \$110 million to maintain railroad track, \$2.2 million to enhance signal systems and \$7.5 million to maintain or replace bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

  • \$20.2 million investment in the rail line between Whiteside and Pratt to replace nearly 25 miles of rail and repair the surfaces at 43 road crossings.
  • \$12.6 million investment in the rail line between Waldeck and near McPherson to replace more than 15 miles of rail and repair the surfaces at 28 road crossings.
  • \$7.7 million investment in the rail line between Oakley and Sharon Springs to replace 68,500 railroad ties and install 38,700 tons of rock ballast. In addition, crews will repair the surfaces at 21 road crossings.

This year's planned \$120 million capital expenditure in Kansas is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2010 to 2014 Union Pacific invested more than \$482 million strengthening Kansas?€™ 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.