Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to improve Houston's transportation infrastructure. The railroad will be making a $29 million investment to improve the rail line that runs from Spring, Texas, to the Washington Avenue Corridor.
Work on the 23-mile stretch of track will begin on February 18. Crews also will make improvements to the rail line located along Washington Avenue, between downtown Houston and Hempstead Road.
The company said the project includes removing and installing new rail, 29 track switches and more than 62,000 concrete ties. Crews will renew roadway surfaces at 14 crossings and also spread 99,000 tons of rock ballast.
Union Pacific will use a modern track renewal train, the TRT 909, which installs rail and concrete ties in one pass. The TRT can install up to 5,000 ties in a 12-hour day.