BNSF to spend $110 million on Nebraska maintenance projects

BNSF Railway Co. will spend $110 million this year on maintenance projects in Nebraska, the Class I announced yesterday.

BNSF's 2018 capital expenditure plan in the state will focus primarily on replacing and upgrading rail, ties and ballast, the company said in a press release.

BNSF moves nearly 2 million carloads of freight in Nebraska each year. Over the past five years, the railroad has spent about $900 million to expand and maintain its network in the state.

This year's Nebraska maintenance program includes more than 1,000 miles of track surfacing or undercutting, as well as the replacement of about 60 miles of rail and close to 90,000 ties.

"BNSF helps Nebraska farmers reach new markets by providing a vital transportation link for the state's corn, wheat and other agricultural products as well as the state's emerging ethanol industry," said Zak Andersen, vice president, corporate relations.

The 2018 planned capital investments in Nebraska are part of BNSF's $3.3 billion network-wide capital expenditure program announced last month.