BNSF Railway recently announced a $3.8 billion capital investment plan for 2025, which company officials say demonstrates its dedication to operating a safe and reliable network while ensuring it is prepared to handle anticipated customer needs.
“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,” Katie Farmer, president and CEO, said in a statement. “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.”
The largest component of this year’s capital plan, $2.84 billion, is devoted to maintenance, ensuring BNSF’s network remains in top condition. Investing in BNSF’s existing infrastructure results in fewer unscheduled service outages that can slow down the rail network and reduce capacity.
The maintenance projects will include replacing and upgrading rail and track infrastructure, such as ballast and rail ties, and maintaining rolling stock. They will consist of 11,400 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work and the replacement of 2.5 million rail ties and 410 miles of rail.
In 2025, $535 million of the capital plan is designated for expansion and efficiency projects, adding to the more than $2.6 billion invested in expansion projects over the past five years. This year’s expansion plans support BNSF 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 starting development activities for a future intermodal facility in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Major line expansion projects include continuing a multi-year project to construct approximately 20 miles of third mainline track near Needles, California, to increase capacity and improve service recoverability on its Southern Transcon route between Southern California and the Midwest and increasing siding capacity on BNSF’s mainline track near Phoenix, Arizona.
