FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway will spend $3.92 billion on capital projects this year, the railroad announced today.
“This year’s capital plan reflects our continued commitment to growth, by ensuring we have the capacity and equipment needed to support our customers,” CEO Katie Farmer said in a statement. “We continue to invest in our network to ensure we run our railroad as safely and efficiently as possible, while building upon the strong service our customers expect.”
The largest component of the capital plan, $2.88 billion, will go toward maintaining BNSF’s core network. Maintenance projects include replacing and upgrading rail, track infrastructure like ballast and ties, and maintaining rolling stock. It will consist of nearly 13,000 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work and the replacement of 365 miles of rail and approximately 2.8 million ties. Approximately $440 million is for equipment acquisitions.
Just under $600 million will fund expansion and efficiency projects, adding to the nearly $2.6 billion invested in expansion projects over the past five years.
BNSF will complete two multi-year projects that will increase capacity on the Southern Transcon, including the addition of several segments of new track in Eastern Kansas and terminal and fueling improvements near Belen, N.M.
In Illinois, BNSF will continue multi-year intermodal facility expansion projects at its Cicero intermodal terminal in Chicago. In California, BNSF will continue property acquisitions and development activities for the planned $1.5 billion Barstow International Gateway project and complete a multi-year track efficiency improvement project in San Bernardino.
This is wonderful needs! This capital spending plan will add value to our Metropolitan Area Planning via CMAP initiative to carry out Clean Energy Platforms in Illinois, especially in the Southwest Region of Chicago. Hello, CREATE Project Team! Hello, City Colleges of Chicago! John P. Jones
But only if they can get Cicero to drop the big storm sewer bill! 🙂