Union Pacific Railroad is spending $32 million this year on track improvements between St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., in an effort to enhance safety and to improve train velocity on this highly used rail corridor.

Crews are removing and installing 182,000 ties; spreading more than 258,000 tons of rock ballast to ensure a stable roadbed; replacing the surfaces at 173 road crossings and rail in curves. Work began in February and is scheduled to be completed by November. Many of the improvements are being made to track between Sedalia and Pleasant Hill and Kirkwood and Hermann. This work will mean delays for Amtrak trains.

"We appreciate the patience of Amtrak customers while Union Pacific completes these necessary track maintenance projects to further enhance our safe operations across Missouri," said Randy Blackburn, Union Pacific Railroad regional vice president operations for the Central Region.

Union Pacific operates about 50 freight trains and Amtrak operates two eastbound and two westbound trains a day across Missouri.

The track maintenance program will impact Amtrak passenger trains schedules operating between St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., and an alternate service plan is being developed by Amtrak.