BNSF outlines planned 2015 capital investment for Illinois

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

BNSF's 2015 capital program for its operations in Illinois will be an estimated $339 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance.

 

“This year’s substantial investments in Illinois are a clear reflection of how important our operations in the state are to our overall network and our unwavering commitment to always operating safely – for our people and the communities in which we operate,” said Jason Jenkins, BNSF general manager operations, Chicago Division. “We know our customers are competing in a fast-paced, global economy where a smooth, efficient supply chain can be the difference between winning and losing in the marketplace. This year’s planned expansion and maintenance projects will help give BNSF the capacity flexibility it needs to support our customers’ growing demands and connect Illinois products to key markets.”

BNSF’s 2015 capital projects in Illinois includes starting the grading for the construction of two double track segments from Burk to Savanna and Aurora to Sugar Grove totaling 12 miles to be completed in 2016; installing Centralized Traffic Control signaling projects along the Aurora and Beardstown subdivisions; extending the sidings at Atwater, Concord, Jacksonville, Stewart and Vermont enabling trains on the same line to pass resulting in better train capacity; Replacing a bridge in Metropolis; extending tracks in Zearing to facilitate increasing interchange volumes; performing additional work related to the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program and expanding railcar loading/unloading tracks, support tracks and parking at the Logistics Park Chicago intermodal and automotive facilities, as well as, at the Willow Springs Intermodal Facility.

BNSF’s maintenance program in Illinois will include 1,099 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of 52 miles of rail and close to 93,000 ties, as well as signal upgrades for positive train control.

The railroad has also outlined its planned programs for Nebraska, Minnesota and Washington.

 

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