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Last week, BNSF Railway Co. announced plans to spend $106 million on track maintenance and capacity projects in Washington state this year.

Capacity enhancement projects include the construction of a new lead to access the Port of Longview and signal upgrades for positive train control (PTC) work. The track maintenance program calls for 1,020 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, and the replacement of 56 miles of rail and about 178,000 ties.
 
The projects are part of BNSF’s $3.9 billion capital spending budget for 2012. The budget includes $2.1 billion for core network and related assets; $1.1 billion for locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions; $400 million for terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects; and about $300 million for PTC work.

Meanwhile, Union Pacific Railroad announced plans to spend more than $13 million to bolster a line in Iowa and $11 million to upgrade a line in Illinois.

By September’s end, the Class I expects to complete work on a 66-mile line between Boone and Westside, Iowa. Crews will replace more than 64,000 ties and three miles of rail in various curves, spread 31,700 tons of ballast and renew surfaces at 74 grade crossings.

By month’s end, UP also expects to wrap up work on a 22-mile line between Nelson and Manlius, Ill., that includes the replacement of rail and eight switches.

The projects are part of UP’s $3.6 billion capital spending budget for 2012.