Freight transport company BNSF Railway (BNSF) plans to invest $180m to expand capacity and maintain infrastructure in Montana, the US.
Under its 2016 capital expenditure programme, BNSF aims to operate a safe and reliable network, as well as support customer demand.
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Under the programme, the company will replace and upgrade rails, rail ties and ballast, which are the main components for the tracks.
According to the company, regular maintenance of the railroad allows it to keep network infrastructure in optimal condition and reduce the need for unscheduled service work that can slow down the rail network and decrease capacity.
BNSF Montana division operations general manager Dan Fransen said: "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."
The maintenance programme will include 950 miles of track surfacing and / or undercutting work, replacing approximately 120 miles of rail and more than 285,000 ties, as well as signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC).
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By GlobalDataThe company will also install a centralised traffic control (CTC) signalling project and a siding extension on the Dickinson subdivision between Glendive and Wibaux, as well as extend three sidings and install CTC along the Forsyth subdivision.
The projects will help to manage rail traffic and improve train flows. This year’s programme follows more than $500m invested by the company in its network in Montana over the past three years.
The investment is part of BNSF’s $4.3bn capital investment plan for this year, which will include $2.8bn to replace and maintain core network and related assets.
Approximately $500m will be invested on expansion and efficiency projects, $300m on the US Government-mandated PTC system, while $600m will be spent on locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisitions.
