US-based freight transport company BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has revealed a plan to invest $100m this year to expand capacity and maintain infrastructure in New Mexico, US.
Under its 2016 capital expenditure programme, BNSF aims to operate a safe and reliable network, as well as support customer demand.
The programme will also bring capital investments more in line with forecasted customer freight service demand.
As part of the plan, BNSF will replace and upgrade rail, rail ties and ballast, which are the main components for the tracks.
According to BNSF, 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.
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BNSF south-west division operations general manager Steve Curtright said: "New Mexico plays an important part in the success of our overall network and the broader economy.
"At BNSF, we will always remain focused on operating a safe and reliable network while helping connect products with key consumer markets across our nation and the world."
The maintenance programme will include about 900 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, the replacement of approximately 15 miles of rail and more than 195,000 ties, as well as signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control (PTC).
This year’s programme follows more than $325m invested by the company in its network in New Mexico over the past three years.
Scope of work under the capital projects in New Mexico include the continuation of the installation of a new bridge, a second track crossing the Pecos River, and double track near Fort Sumner.
Upon completion, all but four miles of BNSF’s more than 2,000-mile Southern Transcon route that links the West Coast to major intermodal markets such as Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and Kansas City will be double-tracked this year.
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.
Around $500m will be invested on expansion and efficiency projects, another $300m on the US Government-mandated PTC system, while $600m will be spent on locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisitions.
Image: BNSF focuses to continue on maintaining a safe and reliable network. Photo: courtesy of BNSF Railway.
