Omaha, Neb. - Wyoming’s transportation infrastructure will receive an $85 million boost from Union Pacific Railroad in 2018. The company’s planned private investment will enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.
Union Pacific builds and maintains its track without taxpayer funds and its trains reduce traffic on Wyoming’s congested highways. A single Union Pacific train can carry as many as 300 trucks and move one ton of freight 452 miles on a single gallon of diesel, generating a carbon footprint that is 75 percent less than trucks.
Union Pacific’s private investments sustain jobs and ensure the company meets growing demand for products used in the American economy. The company’s planned investment covers a range of initiatives, including $81.6 million to maintain railroad track and $2.9 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:
- $12.9 million investment in the rail line south of Rock River to Cheyenne to replace more than 102,000 railroad ties.
- $11.6 million investment in the rail line east of Wamsutter to just west of Rawlins, replacing 25 miles of rail.
- $10.7 million investment in the rail line west of Evanston to Granger to replace more than 79,000 railroad ties.
This year’s planned $85 million capital expenditure in Wyoming is part of the company’s ongoing investment strategy. In the last five years, 2013-2017, Union Pacific invested more than $251 million strengthening Wyoming’s transportation infrastructure.
“Our targeted investments support customers and enhance our efficiency to deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily,” said Liisa Stark, Union Pacific assistant vice president - Public Affairs, Northern Region.
Union Pacific plans to spend $3.3 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling approximately $34 billion from 2008-2017.
