Louisiana Transportation Infrastructure Receives $87M Boost from Union Pacific

Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure will receive an $87 million boost from Union Pacific Railroad in 2018. The company’s planned private investment will enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.

Union Pacific builds and maintains its track without taxpayer funds and its trains reduce traffic on Louisiana’s congested highways. A single Union Pacific train can carry as much freight as 300 trucks and move one ton of freight 452 miles on a single gallon of diesel, generating a carbon footprint that is 75 percent less than trucks.

Union Pacific’s private investments sustain jobs and ensure the company meets growing demand for products used in the American economy. The company’s planned investment covers a range of initiatives, including $48 million to maintain railroad track and $18 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

$16 million investment in the rail line between Alexandria and Shreveport to replace 149,977 railroad ties and install 56,869 tons of rock ballast.

$12 million investment in the rail line between Luling and Livonia to replace 82,152 railroad ties and install 39,693 tons of rock ballast.

This year’s planned $87 million capital expenditure in Louisiana is part of the company’s ongoing investment strategy. In the last five years, 2013-2017, Union Pacific invested more than $396 million strengthening Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure.

“Our targeted investments support customers and enhance our efficiency to deliver the goods American businesses and families use daily,” said Brenda Mainwaring, Union Pacific assistant vice president - Public Affairs, Southern Region.

Union Pacific plans to spend $3.3 billion across its network this year, following investments totaling approximately $34 billion from 2008-2017.