Union Pacific Railroad Invests $5.5 Million to Strengthen Illinois Transportation Infrastructure

Image Courtesy of Union Pacific Railroad

Union Pacific Railroad will strengthen Illinois transportation infrastructure by investing $5.5 million in the rail line between Pinckneyville and Mount Vernon, Illinois. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific without taxpayer dollars, began June 22 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.

The railroad will replace 34,500 ties, install 12,800 tons of rock ballast and renew the surfaces at 64 road crossings. The project is one of nearly 1,500 that Union Pacific will complete across its 32,000-mile network this year to help improve train operating efficiency, reduce motorist wait times at crossings and enhance safety.

Union Pacific Business and Customer Relationships

Union Pacific helps businesses connect with consumers, suppliers and markets across the nation and around the world, said Donna Kush, Union Pacific vice president – Public Affairs, Northern Region. In addition to helping move our customers goods safely and efficiently, our investments support communities by reducing traffic congestion, facilitating industrial development and promoting economic expansion.

Improved and additional freight rail capacity helps reduce highway congestion and contributes to a cleaner environment. One Union Pacific train can take up to 300 trucks off Americas roads, and Union Pacific can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel.