The maintenance projects will include replacing and upgrading rail and track infrastructure like ballast and ties, and maintaining rolling stock. They will comprise 11,400 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work and the replacement of 2.5 million ties and 410 miles of rail, according to BNSF.
The $535 million designated for “expansion and efficiency projects” will add to the more than $2.6 billion invested in expansion over the past five years. This year’s plans, the railroad said, include supporting customer growth by continuing to invest in facility and line expansion projects that will increase network capacity. Major facility projects include completing a multi-year intermodal facility expansion project at BNSF’s Cicero Intermodal Facility in Chicago, continuing property acquisitions and development activities for the planned Barstow International Gateway project in California, and commencing development activities for a future intermodal facility in the Phoenix, Ariz., area, according to BNSF. Major line expansion projects include continuing a multi-year project to construct approximately 20 miles of third main line track near Needles, Calif., “to increase capacity and improve service recoverability” on BNSF’s Southern Transcon route between Southern California and the Midwest and increasing siding capacity on BNSF’s main line track near Phoenix.
“Our 2025 capital plan reflects BNSF’s ongoing commitment to investing in our network to support our customers’ growth and operating a safe, efficient, and reliable railroad,” BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer said. “We are focused on ensuring our network is prepared to handle the demands of the future while continuing to provide the strong service our customers expect.”
