Union Pacific working on tracks from Scott City to Dexter

Union Pacific announced this week that it will be working on major railroad improvements on its track from Scott City to Dexter, Mo., throughout the year.

The improvements started in May and are estimated to cost $9.7 million, and will involve replacing ties, spreading tons of rock ballast to create a stable roadbed and replacing surfaces at 62 crossings.

Mark Davis with Union Pacific public relations said he didn't know exactly which crossings would be affected since those would be determined by need, but that the railroad will try to minimize the burden on motorists.

"When they work on the crossing surfaces, roads will be closed," Davis said. "But we work closely with county and city officials to make sure we don't close all crossings in one area, and we'll notify the public through the local media when those improvements take place."

Work on the crossing surfaces will probably go through the end of the year, Davis said.

All of the work is part of routine maintenance the railroad performs on its lines each year. Routine inspections pinpoint the spots where work will be needed most, said Davis, and those areas are then concentrated on.

Last year rail crews repaired track from Dexter south.

While crossing work will go on through the year, track improvements will likely be completed in the fall. However, the time frame depends on the weather and the possibility of further inspections pointing out more areas that need work.

During the track work, train traffic in the affected areas will be stopped for eight-hour intervals.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182