UP double-tracking 29 miles of central corridor

Union Pacific has embarked on a multi-year, $300 million project to build 
29 miles of second main line track in its central corridor between Fremont,
Neb., and Missouri Valley, Iowa.



As part of the project, UP this year began construction of three miles of
 second main line and a three-mile passing track west of Missouri Valley, 
Iowa. The track is scheduled to be completed by mid-2012.


“Trains traveling from the West Coast to Chicago operate over the central 
corridor,” notes the railroad. When eastbound trains get to Fremont, Neb., 
they operate either through Blair, Neb., to Missouri Valley, Iowa, to
 continue east to Chicago, or they go to Omaha, Neb., then north to Missouri
 Valley to continue east.


“The Blair route is 25 miles shorter than the Omaha route. Though shorter, 
the Blair line is currently single-track and train capacity is limited 
between Missouri Valley and Fremont. When the double-track project is
 complete, each train that operates over the shorter Blair route will save 
two to four hours travel time.”