BNSF details capital projects slated for Kansas, Missouri

BNSF Railway Co. has announced a couple more elements of its record $4.3 billion capital spending program for 2013. The Class I plans to spend $210 million in Missouri and $175 million in Kansas on projects designed to bolster infrastructure and expand capacity.

In Missouri, the railroad will extend a siding in Jeff to 10,000 feet; improve a bridge over the Missouri River near St. Louis; surface and/or undercut more than 3,500 miles of track; replace 195 miles of rail and 390,000 ties; and complete significant signal upgrades for positive train control (PTC) implementation.

In Kansas, BNSF expects to finish building the Logistics Park Kansas City Intermodal facility in Edgerton; construct a 10,000-foot siding and extend an industry track to 3,000 feet near Spring Hill; improve the Topeka shops; complete significant signal upgrades for PTC work; surface and/or undercut about 2,500 miles of track; and replace nearly 100 miles of rail and 375,000 ties.

"[The] capital investments 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."

Earlier this month, BNSF shared details about planned capital program work in Montana, North Dakota and Washington.