BNSF plans $180 million capital plan for Montana

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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BNSF

BNSF 's 2016 capital expenditure program in Montana will be about $180 million, which will be focused on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year's capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast.

 

BNSF also detailed its nearly $100-million plan for Colorado, more than $100 million plan for North Dakota and $110-million plan for Nebraska this week. The railroad announced plans for New Mexico, Minnesota, Missouri and Washington state last week.

“At BNSF we will always remain focused on operating the safest and most reliable network able to deliver Montana agricultural goods, wood products and energy commodities to markets across our nation and the world,” said Dan Fransen, BNSF general manager of operations, Montana Division.

BNSF’s maintenance program in Montana includes more than 950 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, the replacement of about 120 miles of rail and close to 285,000 ties, as well as signal upgrades for positive train control. This year’s capital projects in the state also include installing a Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) signaling project and a siding extension on the Dickinson Subdivision, between Glendive and Wibaux, as well as extending three sidings and installing CTC along the Forsyth Subdivision. These projects will help manage rail traffic while improving train flows.

This year’s plan follows more than $500 million invested by BNSF in its network in Montana over the past three years.

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