CN outlines cap-ex plans for three Midwest states, Tennessee

CN yesterday and today continued to roll out its 2020 capital expenditure budgets for various states, including $125 million targeted for infrastructure projects in Illinois, $35 million in Iowa, $30 million in Tennessee and $25 million in Minnesota.

In Illinois, CN's investments will focus on replacing the St. Charles Air Line Bridge over the Chicago River in Chicago. In addition, the Class I will replace 9 miles of rail, install over 180,000 new ties, rebuild 45 grade crossing surfaces and perform maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems and other track infrastructure.

Over the past five years, CN has completed more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure work in Illinois, where the railroad operates 1,253 route miles and employs 1,825 people.

In Iowa, this year's projects will include the installation of 95,000 new ties and the rebuilding of 19 crossing surfaces. CN has spent more than $200 million on infrastructure work in Iowa over the past five years. The railroad operates 574 route miles and employs 262 people in the state.

In Tennessee, 2020 cap-ex projects will include replacing 7 miles of rail, installing 25,000 new ties, rebuilding 17 crossing surfaces and performing maintenance work. 

Over the past five years, CN has spent $205 million on infrastructure projects in Tennessee, where the railroad operates 173 route miles and employs 649 people.

In Minnesota, CN will perform dock repairs, replace more than 10 miles of rail, install more than 4,700 new ties, rebuild 10 crossing surfaces and complete other maintenance work. CN operates 426 railroad route miles and employs 512 people in Minnesota.

CN officials say the 2020 infrastructure projects are designed to support the company's growth strategy, as well as goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.