(Source: BNSF press release, February 13, 2019)
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) today announced its 2019 capital investment plan of $3.57 billion. The emphasis of this year’s capital plan continues to be on maintaining and expanding its network with an unwavering focus on operating a safe railroad that meets customers’ demands.
“Our rail network is in excellent shape and its condition is a direct result of our continued capital investments,” said Carl Ice, president and CEO. “We work tirelessly to provide the level of service our customers expect and to position ourselves well for future growth opportunities.”
BNSF has invested nearly $65 billion in its network since 2000 while remaining focused on its commitment to safety, maximizing efficiency and continuing to meet customers’ expectations. The largest component of this year’s capital plan will be to replace and maintain BNSF’s core network and related assets, much like last year’s $3.4 billion capital program. Keeping the railroad well maintained limits the need for unscheduled service outages that can slow down the rail network and reduce capacity. The maintenance component of this year’s plan totals roughly $2.47 billion. The projects included in this part of the plan largely consist of replacing and upgrading rail as well as track infrastructure like ballast and rail ties (which are the main components for the tracks on which BNSF trains operate) and maintaining its rolling stock. It will include approximately 12,000 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work and the replacement of 535 miles of rail and nearly 2.3 million rail ties.
Approximately $760 million of this year’s capital plan has been allocated for expansion and efficiency projects. A majority of the expansion projects are planned on the Northern and Southern Transcon routes, connecting Southern California with Chicago and the Pacific Northwest to Upper Midwest respectively. About $340 million of this year’s capital plan is for freight cars, locomotives, and other equipment acquisitions.