A. Lee Graham Reporter BNSF Railway Co. of Fort Worth plans to invest about $220 million to improve and expand rail capacity in North Dakota this year. Among the company’s many capacity-enhancement projects planned for the state are constructing three new sidings west of Minot near Manitou, Tioga, and Palermo; extending the sidings near Glen Ullin and Hillsboro; raising 10 miles of track over Devils Lake by 1 to 5 feet to keep the track above rising water; and upgrading the line between Berthold and Northgate on the Canadian border. Meanwhile, the company plans to continue its track maintenance program also in North Dakota, which includes almost 1,900 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work and replacing about 315 miles of rail and 415,000 ties. “BNSF’s capital investments in North Dakota will help ensure our network is prepared for growing demand for freight rail,” said chairman and CEO Matthew K. Rose in a news release. “Given the importance of a low cost supply chain to the U.S. economy, our privately funded rail infrastructure is well positioned to help all North Dakota industries compete in global markets,” Rose said. The planned capital investments in North Dakota are part of BNSF’s record 2013 capital commitment of $4.3 billion. Unlike other modes of transportation, U.S. freight railroads use their own private dollars, not tax dollars, to build and maintain their freight rail networks. Since 2000, BNSF has invested more than $42 billion to improve and expand its freight rail network. BNSF Railway operates on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. More information is available at www.bnsf.com. lgraham@bizpress.net