BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) announced Sept. 3 it plans to invest an estimated $240 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in Texas this year, including spending on additional rail capacity in Fort Worth.
BNSF’s 2013 capacity improvement projects in Texas include expansion of rail capacity at Tower 55 in Fort Worth, completing replacement of the Galveston Causeway Bridge, installation of a siding extension near Somerville, expansion of the Houston Intermodal Facility, construction of a loop track facility in San Antonio and signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC). BNSF will also continue its track maintenance program in Texas, which will include nearly 4,400 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, and the replacement of about 115 miles of rail and 690,000 ties.
“BNSF’s capital investments in Texas will help ensure our network is prepared for growing demand for freight rail,” said Matthew K. Rose, chairman and CEO in a statement. “We are focused on investing to meet our customers’ expectations and on expanding capacity where growth is occurring. Given the importance of a low cost supply chain to the U.S. economy, our privately funded rail infrastructure is well positioned to help Texas compete in global markets.”
The planned capital investments in Texas are part of BNSF’s record 2013 capital commitment of $4.3 billion. The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2.3 billion on BNSF’s core network and related assets. BNSF also plans to spend approximately $1 billion on locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions, many of which will serve Texas. The program also includes about $200 million for positive train control and $800 million for terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.