(Source: BNSF Railway press releases, May 30, 2012)
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) plans to invest an estimated $100 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Minnesota this year. BNSF’s 2012 capacity enhancement projects in Minnesota include upgrading rail sidings to increase speeds, as well as signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC). BNSF will continue its robust maintenance program in Minnesota, which will include 1,817 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, and the replacement of 42 miles of rail and about 325,000 ties.
Meanwhile, the railroad plans to invest an estimated $86 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in North Dakota this year. As part of its 2012 capital plan, BNSF will be raising the track at Devils Lake that is threatened by rising water. This project is being funded by BNSF, Amtrak and the state of North Dakota. BNSF will continue its robust track maintenance program in North Dakota, which will include 1,232 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of 67 miles of rail and about 122,000 ties, as well as significant signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC).