News Releases
Capital Investment
Union Pacific Begins Brazos Yard Construction in Texas, the Largest Facility Capital Investment in Company History
Spring, Texas, January 25, 2018
Union Pacific Railroad began construction this month on its Brazos Yard in Robertson County, Texas. The $550 million rail yard represents the largest capital investment in a single facility in the company's 155-year history. Brazos Yard will have the capacity to switch up to 1,300 rail cars per day, making it one of the highest capacity yards on Union Pacific's 23-state network. As the first yard of its kind to be built in more than a generation, it will showcase best practices in operating efficiency, technology and innovation.
The project is expected to create between 500 and 550 construction-related jobs, drawing on workers from the immediate area and from across Texas. A study completed by Texas A&M University's Engineering Extension Service predicted the completed yard will contribute almost $260 million in annual total output for the state of Texas. Completion is estimated in 2020.
"Brazos Yard will play an important role in helping Union Pacific's men and women provide excellent service to our customers that represent a wide variety of economic drivers," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific chairman, president and CEO. "It also will improve efficiency and fluidity across our entire rail network."
"This project has been an important part of Union Pacific's planning for several years as we've monitored customer demand and economic growth across the region," said Brenda Mainwaring, Union Pacific's assistant vice-president Public Affairs. "Based on current demand and building for future freight transportation needs, Union Pacific is making our largest capital investment in the Texas Brazos Valley."
Brazos Yard will function as a classification yard where rail cars are separated and sorted by destination before being assembled into new trains headed across the country. The site sits at the convergence of seven Union Pacific rail lines, making it a strategic point for freight rail traffic travelling north, south, east, and west. Brazos Yard will support Union Pacific's customers that represent a wide variety of economic drivers across Texas, including cross border traffic, petrochemicals, consumer goods and plastics.
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. In the last 10 years, 2008-2017, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix is classified into its Agricultural Products, Energy, Industrial and Premium business groups. 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