Nation's energy transportation getting a revamp

But carrying crude by rail has drawbacks, including potential for spills. Further, compared to pipelines, hauling on tracks often takes longer and costs more, Enbridge's McGill said.

"You can do rail for a while. You can do trucks for a very little bit," McGill said. "But at the end of the day, pipelines are going to be your most cost-effective, safest, most reliable way of transportation."

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July 2, 2012

Union Pacific is upgrading Houston's huge Englewood Yard. The company has added 785 Texas employees this year, largely to respond to the booming Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. Photo: Nick De La Torre / © 2012 Houston ChronicleThe nation's energy transportation network is undergoing a multibillion-dollar overhaul, as oil and natural gas production surges in new regions of the country.

Across North America, pipelines and rail terminals are being built in areas where wells were once scarce. Companies are reversing pipe flows and adding stronger pumps to funnel more crude through their lines…