US freight transport firm BNSF Railway (BNSF) plans to invest $140m to expand capacity and maintain infrastructure in Missouri, US.
Under its 2016 capital expenditure programme, the company aims to operate a safe and reliable network, as well as support customer demand.
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The programme will also bring capital investments more in line with forecasted customer freight service demand.
The maintenance programme will include about 1,190 miles of track surfacing and / or undercutting work, the replacement of approximately 65 miles of rail and more than 215,000 ties, as well as signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC).
According to BNSF, regular maintenance of the railroad reduces the need for unscheduled service work, which can slow down the rail network and decrease capacity.
BNSF Springfield Division operations general manager Leif Smith said: "A safe and reliable network is critical to connecting products with key consumer markets whether they are in Missouri, across the nation or around the world.
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By GlobalData"Missouri is an important part of our network and ensuring that it remains strong is critical to meeting customer demands as well as the needs of communities near BNSF rail lines in the state."
The company has invested more than $600m in its Missouri network over the past three years.
The investment is part of BNSF’s $4.3bn capital investment plan, which will include $2.8bn to replace and maintain core network and related assets.
Further investments include $500m for expansion and efficiency projects, $300m for a US Government-mandated PTC system, and $600m for locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisitions.
