BNSF slates $95 million for Minnesota projects

BNSF Railway Co. has budgeted $95 million for capital expenditure projects in Minnesota this year, the Class I announced earlier this week.

Most of the railroad's capex plan in the state will focus on replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast, BNSF officials said in a press release.

Since 2014, BNSF has invested $840 million to expand and maintain its network in Minnesota. This year's maintenance activities will include 340 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of 30 miles of rail and more than 250,000 ties.

The work will help BNSF to run trains through the state safely and efficiently, said Chad Sundem, general manager of operations, Twin Cities division.

"In addition to the agricultural products we move in the state — including corn, wheat and soybeans — we also move large quantities of timber, paper products and taconite from Minnesota to other markets," he said.