ATHOL - Union Pacific Railroad's $10.9 million, 95-mile improvement project under way from Athol to Eastport at the Canadian border is expected to boost North Idaho's economy.

"We have a team of about 200 who are staying in local hotels, eating and relying on other service needs while they are in the area," said Aaron Hunt, UP spokesman. "An investment like this - these are private funds, not taxpayer dollars - and the amount of time the crew is in the area are substantial."

Hunt said UP has not performed an economic analysis for an estimated dollar figure of what the project will mean to the region's economy.

The improvement project is expected to be completed in late June.

More than 79,000 railroad ties are being replaced and more than 28,000 tons of rock ballast is being installed to provide a more stable roadbed.

Crews are also renewing the surfaces at 83 road crossings.

"This helps our trains operate more efficiently, but it also makes for a better experience for motorists who cross the tracks," Hunt said.

Hunt said it's UP's first major improvement project in North Idaho since 2000.

He said motorists can expect traffic delays throughout the corridor as work is being performed at the crossings.

Nationwide, UP plans to spend $3.6 billion on improvements this year on its 32,000-mile network.

"Union Pacific's capital expenditure and maintenance programs exceed infrastructure spending of the state highway departments in 46 states," a press release states.

Improved and additional rail capacity creates multiple benefits, Hunt said.

It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. UP can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel, and, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks.

Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on highways as a single UP train can remove up to 300 trucks off roads.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. invested $23 million in railroad track improvements in North Idaho three years ago and added more improvements last year.

More than half the amount went toward the firm's bridge on Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint.