Construction began Thursday on the $550 million Union Pacific Railroad yard in Robertson County, Texas, that is expected to contribute $260 million to the state’s economy in total annual output upon completion in 2020.
With capacity to handle 1,300 rail cars per day, the Brazos Yard will be the largest in Union Pacific’s 23-state network. It will be positioned at the convergence of seven railroads, providing freight access to the north, south, east, and west.
“Brazos Yard will play an important role in helping Union Pacific’s men and women provide excellent service to our customers that represent a wide variety of economic drivers,” Lance Fritz, chairman, president and CEO of Union Pacific, said. “It also will improve efficiency and fluidity across our entire rail network.”
The Brazos yard will support customers in various sectors, including cross-border traffic, petrochemicals, consumer goods, and plastics.
“This project has been an important part of Union Pacific’s planning for several years as we’ve monitored customer demand and economic growth across the region,” Brenda Mainwaring, assistant vice of president public affairs at Union Pacific, said. “Based on current demand and building for future freight transportation needs, Union Pacific is making our largest capital investment in the Texas Brazos Valley.”