BNSF budgets $150 million for Illinois projects

BNSF Railway Co.'s 2018 capital expenditure program will include $150 million for maintenance projects in Illinois.

The largest component in the Illinois capex program this year will be replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast, according to a BNSF press release.

Over the past five years, BNSF has spent about $1.2 billion to expand and maintain its network in Illinois. This year's projects include more than 650 miles of track surfacing or undercutting work, as well as replacement of nearly 30 miles of rail and 250,000 ties.

"Illinois is a vital link in BNSF's 32,500-route mile network and a key interchange point with other railroads enabling us to serve customers in Canadian and eastern U.S. markets. In total, nearly 2.9 million carloads and intermodal units are shipped to or from Illinois every year, making operating a safe and efficient rail network a priority in the state," said Jason Jenkins, general manager of operations, Chicago Division.