Kansas City Southern (KCS), Kansas City, Mo., and its principal U.S. subsidiary, The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR), announced plans to invest approximately $7.5 million in 2015 on construction and improvement projects on its Aberdeen Branch between West Point and Aberdeen, Miss., and its Tuscaloosa subdivision between Artesia and Columbus, Miss. These projects will help grow capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on KCS’ cross-border network.

The work will begin on October 20 and continue through the end of November. It will include the replacement of 5.6 miles of rail and 38,000 cross ties, as well as improvements to 19 road crossings.

“KCS, through its U.S. and Mexican subsidiaries, continues to invest in capital projects to expand network capacity, keep maintenance in a regular and healthy cycle and enhance the safety of our operation,” says David Starling, chief executive officer. “These investments also help us be an economic growth partner to our customers and the communities through which we operate.”

In Mississippi, KCSR owns and operates approximately 600 miles of railroad and provides service to an intermodal facility in Jackson, Miss., the river ports of Columbus, Vicksburg and Yellow Creek and the Gulf of Mexico port of Gulfport and several transload facilities in the state.