Oklahoma, Nevada on Union Pacific’s to-do list

Union Pacific plans to spend more than $100 million to upgrade track and related infrastructure in Oklahoma and Nevada in 2018.

Oklahoma’s infrastructure will receive a $45 million boost, covering a range of initiatives including $33 million to maintain track and $8 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

$24 million investment in the rail line between the Kansas Oklahoma state line and Pryor to replace 50 miles of rail;

$3.6 million investment in the rail line between Gore and Wagoner to replace 26,520 railroad ties and install 18,548 tons of rock ballast.

Over the past five years, Union Pacific invested more than $211 million strengthening Oklahoma’s transportation infrastructure.

The railroad said it would spend about $56.2 million on its Nevada network in 2018 to enhance its safety, efficiency and customer service offerings.

The railroad’s anticipated investment will support several initiatives, including $53 million to maintain Nevada’s railroad track and $3.2 million to maintain bridges.

Plans also include a $12.3 million investment in the rail line between North Las Vegas and the Utah border to replace more than 100,800 crossties. The railroad has allotted a $9 million investment to replace 19 miles of rail along its Nevada Subdivision for the rail line in Winnemucca. An additional $9 million investment is scheduled to replace 20 miles of rail along the Elko Subdivision between Winnemucca and Golconda.

The company has invested more than $223.6 million to bolster Nevada’s transportation infrastructure since 2013.

The Omaha-based carrier plans to spend $3.3 billion throughout its network this year, and has already announced plans for Utah, Nebraska, Louisiana, Wyoming, Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, California, Texas, Iowa, and Oregon.