BNSF Railway Revealed Investment Plans

US-based freight transport company BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has revealed a plan to invest $200m this year to expand capacity and maintain infrastructure in Nebraska, US.

The project includes building a second main line track in the Grand Island area and initial work to replace a bridge over the Missouri River, between Plattsmouth and Pacific Junction in Iowa.

Part of the investment will also go towards the expansion of the company’s Lincoln locomotive shop, improvements to Havelock car shop and signal upgrades, as part of the new positive train control (PTC) system.

BNSF Railway chairman and chief executive office Matthew K. Rose said: “BNSF’s investments will improve our ability to provide rail freight services to Nebraska businesses and communities, and will expand opportunities to create more jobs and growth for the Nebraska economy.”

In addition, BNSF will also carry out surfacing work on 1,405 miles of track, as well as replace 100 miles of rail and 140,000 ties.
The investment is part of BNSF’s $3.9bn capital investment plan for 2012, which will include $2.1bn spent on the core network and about $1.1bn set aside for locomotives, freight cars and equipment.

Another $300m will be invested on the US government-mandated PTC system, while $400m will be spent on terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.

Last year, the company earmarked $3.5bn in capital expenditure, which included $2bn on its core network. About $450m was allocated for the purchase of 227 locomotives and $350m for freight car and other equipment acquisitions.