UP Stops Container Traffic Between LA, Kansas City, Chicago

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) announced Tuesday afternoon (24-JAN-2023) that all container traffic between southern California and the Midwest hubs of Kansas City and Chicago would temporarily halt.

According to UP, a bridge failure along its line in New Mexico forced the stoppage. The railroad has referred to the incident as a “service interruption” and estimates that shippers should expect a 72-hour delay.

All domestic and international containers heading eastbound to Chicago and Kansas City from Los Angeles and Long Beach intermodal facilities will be affected. UP has similarly applied an ingate suspension to all containers heading westbound to southern California from Kansas City and Chicago.

Reports from The Journal of Commerce indicate that rail activity from Mexico via El Paso and Nogales may also experience delays.

Scarbrough continues to monitor this situation and will pass along information as it becomes available. For questions and assistance, please reach out to your Scarbrough rep.

UPDATE: Per a customer advisory from STG, UP’s bridge repairs in New Mexico are expected to be completed Friday, January 27. Delays will likely persist as UP catches up from the line stoppage.