US-based railroad operator Union Pacific is planning to invest $31.5m and $20.5 this year to strengthen transportation infrastructure in Iowa and Colorado, respectively.
The investment in Iowa will be used to improve the rail line between Nevada and near Mason City, while the rail line between Dotsero and near Palisade, Colorado, will be enhanced.
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In Iowa, the company will replace more than 57 miles of rail, repair the surfaces at 67 road crossings and replace 16 switches.
The investment in Colorado will see replacement of 141,300 railroad ties, installation of 53,000t of rock ballast, as well as replacement of more than three miles of rail in various curves.
Additionally, crews will repair the surfaces at 40 road crossings.
Union Pacific Northern Region Public Affairs vice-president Donna Kush said: "Union Pacific helps businesses connect with consumers, suppliers and markets across the nation and around the world.
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By GlobalData"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."
The company intends to invest more than $109m this year to improve Iowa’s transportation infrastructure and it will cover a range of initiatives such as $105m to maintain railroad track, $1.5m to enhance signal systems and $2.8m to maintain or replace bridges in the state.
The railroad will also invest roughly $41m this year to improve Colorado’s transportation infrastructure and of the total $34m will be used to maintain railroad track, $860,000 to improve signal systems and nearly $6m to maintain or replace bridges in the state.
A total of $4.2bn is expected to be invested across its network this year, following investments totalling more than $31bn between 2005 and 2014.
