BNSF budgets $90 million for Minnesota capex

BNSF Railway Co.'s 2018 capital expenditure program will include $90 million for maintenance projects in Minnesota.

The largest component of this year's capital plan in the state will be replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast, the Class I announced in a press release.

Over the past five years, BNSF has spent $810 million to expand and maintain its network in Minnesota. In 2018, the Minnesota capex program includes more than 750 miles of track surfacing or undercutting work, as well as replacing 20 miles of rail and 170,000 ties.

"As a part of the Great Northern Corridor, Minnesota serves as a crucial link between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago, ensuring that every year BNSF moves more than 140,000 carloads of Minnesota corn, wheat, soybeans and other agricultural products, as well as large quantities of timber and paper products to both global and domestic markets," said Chad Sundem, general manager of operations, Twin Cities division.