Union Pacific Railroad will continue improving Colorado’s transportation infrastructure with an $11.2 million investment to enhance the rail line that runs from Grand Junction, Colorado to near Somerset.
The 75-mile project includes removing and installing nearly 81,000 railroad ties, renewing the surfaces in 64 road crossings and installing nearly a mile of new rail in various curves on the line. Crews will also spread 43,700 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed.
Union Pacific plans to spend approximately $3.2 billion in 2011 to support America’s current and future freight transportation needs and enhance the safety and efficiency of the railroad’s 32,000-mile network. Improvement projects such as this are examples of Union Pacific continuing to support its customers’ business through strategic investments.
Improved and additional rail capacity allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. Union Pacific can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.
