News Releases
Safety
Union Pacific Railroad Urges Public Safety During Upcoming Papal Visit
Omaha, Neb., February 10, 2016
With large crowds expected for the February 17 Papal Mass in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande river from El Paso, Texas, Union Pacific urges all drivers and pedestrians to remember to be safe when they come in contact with railroad tracks. Walking along the tracks and parking vehicles near or on tracks can present significant safety risks to the public and is illegal. Crossing tracks, whether on foot or in a vehicle, is legal only at designated crossings. To help keep the public safe, Union Pacific will be posting additional “No Parking” signs along its rights of way, and will increase the number of Union Pacific police officers patrolling railroad properties.
To serve its customers and deliver the goods Texans need and use every day, Union Pacific will maintain normal train traffic on its main lines that run east and west across the northern portion of El Paso. Rail traffic will be suspended at border crossing February 16-17. Rail yards can be extremely unsafe for those without proper safety equipment and training. To protect the public and keep pedestrians from traversing Union Pacific property, Union Pacific is erecting fencing around its facilities.
El Paso serves as a freight traffic gateway. Union Pacific carries vital cargo from the West Coast to cities such as Houston, Dallas and as far as Chicago and beyond. Between 35 and 50 or more trains per day typically travel through El Paso carrying goods such as automobiles, building materials, grain, beer and other consumer goods.
"Our priority during this unique event is to provide a safe environment for our employees, customers and the community," said Larry Wenko, Union Pacific director - Public Safety. "While we will continue to honor our commitment to our customers across the country, we want to do so in as safe a manner as possible. And we are reaching out to the public to ask them to do their part as well."
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2006-2015, Union Pacific invested approximately $33 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.
Media Contact
Jeff DeGraff
(281) 350-7771
jdegraff@up.com
@DeGraff_UP