BNSF details 2015 capex work pegged for Missouri, Wisconsin

BNSF Railway Co. has released highlights about its 2015 capital spending projects in two more states: Missouri and Wisconsin.

The Class I has budgeted $153 million for capacity expansion and track maintenance projects in Missouri. Major capital work includes the construction of two sidings between Elsberry and Ashburn and milepost marker 94, and the extension of a siding in Gibbs to boost train capacity in the Hannibal Subdivision.

Track maintenance work in the state calls for surfacing and/or undercutting 1,303 miles of track, replacing more than 60 miles of rail and about 184,500 ties, and completing signal upgrades for positive train control (PTC) implementation.

In Wisconsin, BNSF plans to spend $120 million. Major capital projects include the construction of four miles of double track through LaCrosse and the installation of Centralized Traffic Control in several locations along the Aurora Subdivision. The projects will greatly improve train flows and efficiency along the route, BNSF officials said in a press release.

Planned trackwork in Wisconsin involves surfacing and/or undercutting 220 miles of track, replacing nearly 25 miles of rail and 800 ties, and upgrading signals for PTC.

BNSF previously released highlights of capital projects planned in Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas and Washington. All the work is part of the railroad's record-setting $6 billion capex budget for 2015. For more insight and information on BNSF's capital spending program, read this cover story from Progressive Railroading's February issue.