Kansas City Southern (KCS), Kansas City, Mo., announced that its U.S. subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR), is investing approximately $18 million in construction and improvement projects on its Laredo Subdivision from Laredo to Corpus Christi, Texas. These projects help grow capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on the cross-border network.

Work on the Laredo Subdivision began Feb. 24 and will continue through mid-April with installation of approximately 80,000 cross ties, replacement of approximately six miles of rail, enhancements to approximately 177 road crossings and structural steel improvements at the International Bridge at Laredo. In addition, specific communities where this work will be performed include Realitos, San Diego, Alice, Agua Dulce, Banquete and Robstown.

“KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest an industry-leading percentage of its annual revenues to capital projects that expand our network’s capacity, keep our maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle and grow our ability to handle the economic growth that is occurring along our network,” says David Starling, chief executive officer. “Our system-wide 2015 investment continues this trend and helps us be a growth partner for our customers and the communities we serve.”

In Texas, KCSR owns and operates 927 miles of rail infrastructure, three intermodal facilities and an automotive facility. KCSR serves the ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi and Brownsville, as well as 42 transload facilities in the state. The KCSR network in Texas serves as a viable transportation and logistics solution for shippers moving goods throughout North America.