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Today, Burlington Northern Santa Fe expects to open a second main track between Codman and Lora, Texas — a 13.5-mile double-track section along the railroad's Chicago-to-Los Angeles "Transcon" line.


In April, BNSF began the $23 million project in its Panhandle Subdivision, which included installing 136-pound continuous-welded rail and 30,000 concrete ties, and upgrading one siding.


Currently, 55 intermodal trains daily move over the line, which BNSF expects to increase to 70 daily trains during the peak shipping season. In the first quarter, the Class I's international business rose 35 percent compared with the same 2002 period, helping increase intermodal traffic on the line, according to a prepared statement.


In November, BNSF plans to complete 32 miles of double track on the Transcon east of Lora to Coburn, Texas. The railroad also expects to complete another double-track section in second-quarter 2004, running 14 miles between Curtis and Woodward, Okla.


In April, BNSF began a Transcon capital-spending program designed to expand the line's capacity to keep up with increasing intermodal business.


The program includes a $15 million expansion under way at the railroad's Clovis, N.M., yard involving construction of six 8,000-foot receiving and departure tracks, and elimination of a grade crossing. Three east-end tracks are expected to open by month's end; three west-end tracks by mid-August.