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Yesterday, Burlington Northern Santa Fe completed 2004 double-track projects on its 2,227-mile "Transcon" line between Chicago and Long Beach, Calif.

The Class I installed a section of second main track on the Panhandle Subdivision between Woodward and Tangier, Okla., completing an 11.2-mile double-track project. This year, BNSF constructed 32.9 miles of double track on the Transcon, including two miles at BNSF's Canadian River Bridge, and more than 14 miles between Woodward and Curtis, Okla. The railroad also installed a 5.7-mile section of triple track between Baseline and Verdemont, Calif.

"The double-track additions this year, combined with the 43-mile double-track additions made in Texas and Oklahoma in 2003, are relieving bottlenecks along this core route," said Tom Schmidt, BNSF director of engineering services, in a prepared statement.

Next year, BNSF plans to continue double-tracking the Transcon, including 31 miles between Milan and Attica, Kan.; 25 miles between Tangier and Goodwin, Okla.; and four miles between Waynoka and Heman, Okla.