BNSF upgrading Wyoming tracks
Written by jrood
BNSF plans to spend $84 million on track improvements in Wyoming this year, the Casper Star-Tribune reports. Major projects will include rail, tie and surfacing work, BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said.
On the Campbell
subdivision east of Gillette, crews will install 7,000 new concrete ties. Some
rail and ballast work also will be performed. The line serves coal mines near
Gillette.
"The bulk of the work
will occur later this May and through June," Melonas said.
On the "joint line,"
operated by BNSF and Union Pacific, 94,160 lineal feet of rail will be
replaced. Work underneath tracks will be performed on 18.2 miles and shoulder
and ballast work on 221 miles of tracks. Track resurfacing also is planned,
along with improvements at turnarounds – where tracks branch off the main line –
and some bridge work.
In addition, welding
upgrades will be performed on the joint line. Rail joints will be eliminated to
form continuous welded rail. "That makes a seamless, smoother, more efficient
operation," Melonas said.
The joint line is a major
railroad artery for hauling coal from the Powder River Basin.
South of Bill, Melonas
said BNSF plans to spend $8 million widening track centers between each of the
four tracks to improve clearances. The work is scheduled for August and
September. Crossover improvements also will be made.
A variety of upgrades
will be accomplished at other locations across BNSF’s Wyoming system, Melonas
added.
Earlier, BNSF announced a
$2.4 billion capital commitment program in 2010. About $2.1 billion was
projected for track, signal systems, structures, freight cars and technology
upgrades.
