Union Pacific to upgrade rail capacity in Eastern Nebraska & Western Iowa

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Union Pacific Railroad is investing nearly $300 million over the next several years on its central corridor between Fremont, Neb., and Missouri Valley, Iowa, which provides vital support for the nation’s economic growth and a primary shipping lane for the products American families and businesses use every day.

“When complete, this multi-year double-track project will help us operate more efficiently, increase train velocity and support our ability to add capacity as our customers’ freight transportation needs grow,” said Randy Blackburn, Union Pacific regional vice president – North.

Union Pacific plans to invest approximately $3.3 billion in capital during 2011, which supports America’s current and future freight transportation needs and enhances the safety and efficiency of the railroad’s 32,000-mile network.

Union Pacific this year began construction of three miles of second main line and a three-mile passing track west of Missouri Valley, Iowa.

The track is scheduled to be completed by mid-2012. These projects are part of a nearly $300 million investment in building 29 miles of second main line track between Fremont, Neb., and Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Trains traveling from the West Coast to Chicago operate over Union Pacific’s central corridor.

When eastbound trains get to Fremont, Neb., they operate either through Blair, Neb., to Missouri Valley, Iowa, to continue east to Chicago or they go to Omaha, Neb., then north to Missouri Valley to continue east.

The Blair route is 25 miles shorter than the Omaha route. Though shorter, the Blair line is currently single track and train capacity is limited between Missouri Valley and Fremont.

When the double-track project is complete, each train that operates over the shorter Blair route will save two to four hours travel time.

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