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Because intermodal traffic continues to increase on Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Southern California-to-Chicago Transcon line — including a boost from the nearly year-old Alameda Corridor — the railroad is trying to double-track the entire 2,500-mile route. The Class I still has a ways to go.


"We need to fill-in gaps," says Robert Boileau, BNSF assistant vice president of engineering services. "We have about 280 miles that are still single track."


One of those gaps is an 11.2-mile segment between Lora and Codman, Texas, in BNSF's Panhandle Subdivision. Beginning in early April, the railroad plans to begin double-tracking the segment by installing 136-pound continuous-welded rail and 30,000 concrete ties, and upgrading one siding.


Targeted for completion in the fourth quarter, the $23 million project will extend double track near Miami, Texas. BNSF eventually will construct another double-track segment from Miami, says Boileau.


Meanwhile, the railroad plans to construct a second mainline between Letan and Bonner, Neb., later this year. The $9.2 million project in BNSF's Angora Subdivision is designed to hasten coal moves.


(For more Class I maintenance-of-way coverage, seeProgressive Railroading'sMarch issue.)


— Jeff Stagl