BNSF outlines capital improvement plans in New Mexico

BNSF Railway Co. has detailed plans for 2013 capital improvement projects in an eleventh state. The Class I has budgeted $90 million for track maintenance and capacity expansion projects in New Mexico.

Capacity projects include signal improvements to five mainline tracks through Belen Terminal and the addition of a locomotive servicing pit at the railroad's yard in Belen.

The track maintenance program in New Mexico involves surfacing and/or undercutting about 2,100 miles of track, replacing 160 miles of rail and about 170,000 ties, and upgrading signals for positive train control implementation.

"[Our] capital investments in New Mexico will help ensure our network is prepared for growing demand for freight rail," said BNSF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Rose in a press release. "We are focused on investing to meet our customers' expectations and on expanding capacity where growth is occurring."

The New Mexico work is part of BNSF's record-setting $4.3 billion capex program for 2013. Over the past few months, the Class I also has shared breakdowns of planned work in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas and Washington.