BNSF unveils capex projects for Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska

BNSF Railway Co. yesterday rolled out more of its state-by-state capital expenditure plans for 2019, announcing $445 million worth of projects slated for Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

In Kansas, the Class I will invest $165 million to replace and upgrade rail, ties and ballast. The maintenance program will include 560 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of 30 miles of rail and 120,000 ties. In addition, BNSF plans to begin a multiyear project to install double track on portions of the Emporia Subdivision, which operates between Wellington and Kansas City.

BNSF moves 4 million carloads each year in Kansas, company officials said in a press release.

Meanwhile, BNSF will spend $140 million this year to maintain and upgrade rail, ties and ballast in Missouri, where the Class I has invested more than $935 million over the past five years to expand and maintain its network.

This year's Missouri projects will include 1,070 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work, as well as the replacement of 45 miles of rail and 150,000 ties. BNSF moves 5 million carloads on its Missouri tracks annually.

Also this year, BNSF will spend $140 million on projects in Nebraska to replace and upgrade rail, ties and ballast. Work will include 1,290 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting, as well as the replacement of 55 miles of rail and 130,000 ties.

Since 2014, BNSF has spent more than $880 million to expand and maintain its network in Nebraska.

The three states' projects are part of BNSF's $3.57 billion network-wide capital expenditure program for 2019.