BNSF Railway Co. plans to spend $3.3 billion on capital investments in 2018, a move that shows a continued focus on maintaining its network as well as expansion projects aimed at meeting customer demands, railroad officials said.
Since 2000 BNSF has invested more than $60 billion in its network all while remaining focused on its commitment to safety, maximizing efficiency and continuing to meet customers’ expectations.
Like last year’s $3.3 billion capital program, the largest component of the plan — at $2.4 billion — will be to replace and maintain BNSF’s core network and related assets. Projects include replacing 13,000 miles of track surfacing, more than 500 miles of rail and nearly 3 million rail ties.
The company has also allocated $100 million for positive train control as it moves toward meeting the Dec. 31, 2018, implementation deadline. BNSF is the only Class I freight railroad to have completed the installation of PTC on all its federally mandated subdivisions and is currently running hundreds of trains daily with PTC as it tests revenue service across its mandated territory.
In another announcement, BNSF reported a record year of $7.7 billion in customer investments served by the freight rail provider in 2017. This figure reflects several large investments by customers including Iowa Fertilizer Company, Spectrum Brands and Ganahl Lumber Co.
These investments are expected to generate approximately 3,500 new jobs in local communities. This marks the seventh consecutive year that BNSF customers and local economic development organizations have invested more than $1 billion in a calendar year for new or expanded facilities.
