Rough crossings temporary

By Loyd Cook

May 08, 2008 08:46 pm

— Union Pacific has an ongoing project destined to improve its rail line through Corsicana, down to Groesbeck.
According to James Barnes, UP spokesman, the company will replace 33,000 rail times and lay four miles of new track as a part of the effort. The cost is estimated at between two and three million dollars.
“This is a part of Union Pacific’s 2008 capital expenditure budget,” Barnes said. “It has about 150 to 200 people helping out with the job.”
Also part of the project is renovation of about 10 road crossings inside Corsicana. In order to replace the rail ties, the company has, for now, pulled up the metal plates around the rails at the crossing and put down a temporary filler of asphalt.
Barnes said the crossings won’t be as smooth as they were for a while.
“It’s going to be a little bit rougher,” he said. “We’re asking people to be patient with us, slow down when they cross, and to drive as safely as possible.”
Pay attention to detour signs, if any are up, Barnes urged, and follow their directions. Those situations will change as different parts, and locations, of the projects are underway and completed.
Union Pacific will be improving many areas of its operations in 2008. Along with infrastructure needs, addition of new locomotives and needed repair work are on the schedule, the spokesman said.
The length of the Corsicana-to-Groesbeck project is about 40 miles, he said.
Barnes said completion of the project is expected around the end of June.
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Loyd Cook may be reached via e-mail at lcook@corsicanadailysun.com

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