Union Pacific Railroad plans a $450 million investment in Texas infrastructure this year, which reflects part of the company’s long-term plans to strengthen its infrastructure.
The company invested more than $2.3 billion in the Lone Star state between 2013-2017.
The bulk of this year’s investment will be used to maintain railroad track. A portion of the funds will be used to replace tracks. The largest replacement projects are replacing the rail line between Ranger and Sweetwater for $17 million and replacing the rail line between Raymondville and Robstown for $14 million. An additional $94 million will be used to maintain bridges.
Union Pacific also is investing $550 million to create a Brazos Yard facility in Robertson County. Construction began in January and is scheduled to be completed in 2020.
The site is the convergence point of seven Union Pacific rail lines for freight rail traffic traveling in all directions. Once completed, the facility will be one of the railroad’s highest capacity yards with the capacity to switch up to 1,300 rail cars daily.
“Our targeted investments support customers and enhance our efficiency to deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily,” Brenda Mainwaring, Union Pacific assistant vice president of public affairs for the southern region, said.