2010 Service Updates
January - June
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.
Hurricane Alex
Union Pacific continues to make preparations for Hurricane Alex, which is expected to make landfall along the Gulf Coast early morning Thursday, July 1. According to the National Hurricane Center, the path of the storm has shifted further south, and is now anticipated to make landfall 80-100 miles south of Brownsville, TX along the Mexican Gulf Coast.
With the change in the storm's path, Union Pacific has lifted the embargo on shipments north of Kingsville, Texas. The embargo remains in place for certain security-sensitive shipments south of Kingsville to Brownsville, Texas. Crews in the area will work to tie down equipment in UP yards and work with customers to secure equipment at their own facilities.
Operations personnel are currently moving equipment out of low-lying areas, and resources are being staged in strategic locations to expedite any necessary repairs following the storm's landfall. Union Pacific crews will inspect affected areas and determine necessary repairs to resume operations.
We will continue to post updates as more information becomes available.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - 1:00 p.m.
Union Pacific Prepares for Tropical Storm Alex
Union Pacific is making preparations for Tropical Storm Alex, which is expected to make landfall along the Gulf Coast, south of Brownsville, Texas, early morning Thursday, July 1. According to the National Hurricane Center, Alex is continuing to move northwest with winds expected to reach hurricane strength later today.
Operations personnel are currently moving equipment out of low-lying areas, and resources are being staged in strategic locations to expedite any necessary repairs following the storm's landfall.
Union Pacific has embargoed certain security-sensitive shipments moving into and out of the Corpus Christi and Gregory, Texas areas south to Brownsville, Texas. Crews in the area will work to tie down equipment in UP yards and work with customers to secure equipment at their own facilities.
After the storm's landfall, UP crews will inspect affected areas and determine necessary repairs to resume operations.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Friday, March 26, 2010 - 1:00 p.m.
Flooding Update in Minneapolis/St. Paul Area
Operations in Minnesota are returning to normal. Our yard at Savage, Minn. is partially under water but we have plans to begin serving customers from that yard today. The Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers at St. Paul continue to recede, however flood gates in the city remain closed and will not open until the rivers recede below 16', currently projected for early next week. As a result, our local service in the South St. Paul area continues to be impacted.
We will be communicating with customers in the affected areas until local service returns to normal.
Thursday, March 25, 2010 - 10:00 a.m.
Flooding Update in Minneapolis/St. Paul Area
Our main line between Mankato and Minneapolis/St. Paul is now open and train operations are returning to normal.
Our yard at Savage, Minn. is partially flooded and continues to impact our ability to serve most of the customers in that area. The Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers at St. Paul have crested and are now receding however, the city has some of their flood gates closed and will not open them until the rivers recede below 16'. As a result, some of our local service in the South St. Paul area will continue to be impacted.
We will be communicating with customers in the affected areas as local service can return to normal.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.
Flooding Update in Minneapolis/St. Paul Area
Union Pacific continues to experience flooding conditions from the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers in and around the St. Paul, Minn. area. It is predicted Savage, Minn. will have water over the rail late this evening which will affect business moving between Valley Park and St. Paul. Current projections indicate the Minnesota River will crest at Savage on Thursday afternoon.
The water that was over the rails approximately 10 miles north of Mankato, Minn. is now receding and we are running trains between Mankato and Valley Park. We continue to re-route traffic via alternative routes to service the stations between Mankato and Minneapolis/St. Paul and customers can expect 24-48 hour delays to shipments moving through this area.
We will continue to provide updates on our web site as information becomes available.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Flooding Conditions In and Around St. Paul
Union Pacific is experiencing flooding conditions from the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers in and around the St. Paul, Minn., area. Flooding conditions currently are predicted to subside mid to late next week.
Additionally, there is water up to the rails approximately 10 miles north of Mankato, Minn., which cuts off access to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area from Mankato. Plans are in place to re-route traffic via alternative routes to service the stations between Mankato and Minneapolis/St. Paul. However, customers can expect 24-48 hours of delay to their traffic to and from this area.
Conditions are evolving rapidly and other areas of flooding in Minnesota may occur. We will keep you updated as events change.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.
Winter Storms Impact UP Operations Across the Midwest
A winter storm, producing high winds and drifting snow, is affecting Union Pacific operations between Council Bluffs and Des Moines, IA, and points north into Minnesota. Snow plows are operating on most of the branch lines in Iowa today to clear the drifts and we anticipate resuming normal operations in the next 24 hours.
Additionally, cold temperatures approaching zero degrees are anticipated between North Platte, NE and Chicago, IL over the next few days, which will restrict train length in this corridor. Customers with business moving through these affected areas should anticipate shipment delays.
Monday, January 11, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.
Crews Work to Restore Operations Following Winter Storms Across the Midwest
Winter storms in the Midwest negatively impacted Union Pacific operations last week and over the weekend across Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois. Heavy snow and high winds, along with extreme cold temperatures, slowed rail and terminal operations in those areas.
Crews worked over the weekend to clear main line and branch line routes and switches, along with terminals in the affected areas. While operations are returning to normal in most areas impacted by the storms, work continues to clear tracks around Council Bluffs and outlying areas of Iowa, along with the Kansas City area.
Customers with shipments moving through these areas should expect 24-hour delays over the next day or two as operations are restored and crews work off the backlog of traffic.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Friday, January 8, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.
Winter Storms Impact UP Operations Across the Midwest
Winter storms moving across the Midwest region of the country have negatively impacted Union Pacific operations in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois. While heavy snows and high winds have subsided, the extreme cold temperatures forecasted for the next two days will continue to impede operations.
Efforts are underway to clear main line and branch line routes and switches, along with terminals in the affected area. As these routes are cleared, main line and local service will begin to improve. Customers should expect 24- to 72-hour delays to shipments moving through this area.
We will continue to provide updates on our web site as information becomes available.
Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.
Winter Storms Impact UP Operations Across the Midwest
Winter storms moving across the Midwest region of the country have negatively impacted Union Pacific operations in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois. Heavy snows, extremely cold temperatures and high winds have hampered switching in major terminals and slowed the movement of trains in these areas. Dangerous road conditions have restricted crew transportation, contributing to train delays.
High winds are expected to continue in these areas the remainder of today, with gradual clearing tomorrow. There is concentrated focus on clearing main-line routes and switches, along with terminals in the affected area. Sub-zero temperatures across the region tonight and tomorrow could further impact switching at a local level. Customers should expect 24- to 72- hour delays to shipments moving through this area.
We will continue to provide updates on our Web site as information becomes available.