Union Pacific intends to invest approximately $120 million in Kansas' transportation infrastructure this year.
The funds will be used to improve customer, employee and community safety as well as enhance the efficiency of the state’s rail operations.
The investment will finance a number of programs. Approximately $110 million is allocated to maintaining railroad track; $2.2 million will improve the current signal system; and $7.5 million will either replace or repair bridges throughout the Kansas.
Union Pacific and other freight railroads run on track that is constructed and maintained outside of taxpayer finances. This private investment will guarantee the company continues to meet the growing demand for various products. The investment will also make it possible for the company to sustain more jobs.
Union Pacific intends to invest $4.2 billion throughout its entire network in 2015. This is in addition to previous investments that exceeded $31 billion from 2005 to 2014. The company’s investments resulted in a 38 percent decrease in derailments throughout the past 10 years.
"We constantly evaluate our customers' needs to make targeted investments that enhance our efficiency and deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily," Donna Kush, Union Pacific vice president - Public Affairs, Northern Region, said. "Continuing to aggressively invest in our infrastructure is an important element in Union Pacific's unwavering safety commitment."
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