Union Pacific to spend $1 billion on tracks

Union Pacific to spend $1 billion on tracks

   Union Pacific Railroad said Monday it is planning to spend more than $1 billion in 2005 to maintain its track across the 33,000-mile system.

   Union Pacific has already started work on a $1.8 million track improvements project to its mainline between Little Rock and Alexander, Ark. The improvements will see crews removing and installing 19,700 ties, spreading 6,675 tons of rock ballast, surface and lining 13.5 miles of track and replacing the surfaces at nine road crossings. Union Pacific expects the work to be completed by mid-March.