Missouri's transportation infrastructure will receive a $25 million boost from Union Pacific Railroad in 2018, and nearly a quarter of that amount will be spent on the line that runs through Mid-Missouri.
The company announced Monday the work is being done to enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.
Union Pacific officials said they build and maintain their track without taxpayer funds. They also noted trains reduce traffic on highways. Their figures showed a single Union Pacific train could carry as much freight as 300 trucks and move 1 ton of freight 452 miles on a single gallon of diesel, generating a carbon footprint that is 75 percent less than trucks.
The company's planned investment covers a range of initiatives, including $15 million to maintain railroad track and $7 million to maintain bridges in the state. One of the key projects is a $4 million investment in the rail line between Jefferson City and California to replace 23,515 railroad ties and install 10,792 tons of rock ballast.
In the last five years, Union Pacific officials said, the company invested more than $292 million to support Missouri's transportation infrastructure.