BNSF plans $250 million in capacity enhancements in North Dakota

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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BNSF has committed to making $250 million in investments for rail transportation improvements in North Dakota.

 

Enhancements include spending $162 million to double track the rail line from Minot, N.D., to Glasgow, Mont., to help address major congestion issues for westbound traffic to destinations in the Pacific Northwest; spending $26 million to add sub sidings to address congestion from Fargo, N.D., to Grand Forks, N.D., along the Hillsboro subdivision;
spending $14 million to add sub sidings to address congestion from Bismarck, N.D., to Glendive, Mont., along the Dickinson subdivision; spending $13 million to add sub sidings to address congestion from Minot, N.D., to Grand Forks, N.D., along the Devils Lake subdivision; spending $13 million to add sub sidings and an interchange track to address congestion from Canada into the United States through the Port of Pembina along the Noyes subdivision; spending $11 million to invest in centralized traffic control to improve service from Bismarck, N.D., to Fargo, N.D., along the Jamestown subdivision
and spending $8 million to add sub sidings and conduct signal work along the track from Fargo to Minot along the KO subdivision.

“With the great increase in rail transportation in North Dakota, BNSF needs to make significant investments so the line can meet the many needs of our state,” said U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. “Whether it is for rail safety, improved agriculture shipments or Amtrak delays, our businesses need to know their products will be transported efficiently by rail and North Dakotans must be able to have reliable passenger rail.

“In 2014, we plan to make our largest, single-year capital investment in our company’s history. Our investments of capital in expansion and maintenance in North Dakota will be a critical part of efficiently and safely facilitating the growth from the state, in particular, crude and agriculture and growth elsewhere on the network,” said BNSF CEO Carl Ice.

Earlier this year, BNSF announced plans for a $5 billion capital program.

 

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