McClatchy Washington Bureau

WICHITA — Union Pacific said today that it plans to hire thousands more workers and invest several billion dollars this year, which marks the railroad’s 150th anniversary.

The Omaha-based company said it expects to add between 4,000 and 4,500 workers in 2012, depending on the performance of the economy. It also said it would spend $3.6 billion on infrastructure this year, which would be a record amount.

Between 2000 and 2011 the company spent $31 billion.

“Looking to the future, our railroad will continue helping this country improve its competitive position globally by investing billions in capital, creating well-paying jobs and providing safe, environmentally responsible transportation,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and CEO, in a news release.