BNSF to Make Investment to Improve Rail Capacity in Washington

BNSF Railway (BNSF) is planning to invest $125m in the US state of Washington during 2013 for railway maintenance, capacity improvements and expansion projects.

Under the project, BNSF will build two receiving and departure tracks of around 7,000ft at its Delta yard in Everett, as well as expand its Orillia automotive distribution facility to meet the rise in demand of automobile traffic.
BNSF will also improve signalling to meet US government-mandated positive train control (PTC) system requirements.
The funds will also be used for a track maintenance programme in the region, which will include 2,800 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work and the replacement of 175 miles of rail and 110,000 railroad ties.
BNSF chairman and chief executive officer Matthew Rose said that the company’s capital investments in Washington will help ensure its network is prepared for the growing freight rail demand.
“We are focused on investing to meet our customers’ expectations and on expanding capacity where growth is occurring,” Rose said.
The move is part of the company’s $4.3bn capital investment programme for 2013, out of which around $2.3bn will be spent on improvements on the railway’s core network and related assets and $1bn on locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisitions.
As part of the programme, around $200m will be invested in PTC technology, while $800m will go towards terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.
According to the company, since 2000 it has spent over $42bn to improve and expand its freight rail network in the US.