Union Pacific to Invest $26.5m in its Arizona Rail Infrastructure

Arizona’s rail infrastructure will receive a $26.5 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 Arizona’s congested highways. A single Union Pacific train can carry as much freight as 300 trucks and move one ton of freight 452 miles on a single gallon of diesel, generating a carbon footprint that is 75% less than trucks.

Union Pacific, Arizona. Photo Credit: Clay Gilliland (license)

Arizona Rail Infrastructure

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 $14.5 million to maintain railroad track and $3.2 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

$4.5 million investment in the rail line through Yuma to replace 8 miles of rail.
$6 million investment in the rail line between Willcox and El Paso, Texas, to replace 42,869 railroad ties and install 19,077 tons of rock ballast.

Union Pacific’s Investment Strategy

This year’s planned $26.5 million capital expenditure in Arizona is part of the company’s ongoing investment strategy. In the last five years, 2013-2017, Union Pacific invested more than $226 million strengthening Arizona’s transportation infrastructure.

Brenda Mainwaring, Union Pacific assistant vice president – Public Affairs, Southern Region, said: