BNSF plans $4.1 billion investment
<p>A train leaves the Whitefish Depot heading east.</p>
BNSF Railway is preparing for more growth in 2013, particularly in the Bakken Shale area of Montana and North Dakota.
The Texas-based company announced last week a 2013 capital commitment program of approximately $4.1 billion, a $450 million increase over its 2012 program.
The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2.3 billion on the railroads core network. BNSF also plans to spend $1 billion on locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions.
The program includes about $250 million for continued installation of federally mandated positive train control and $550 million for terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.
BNSF’s expansion and efficiency projects will be primarily focused on capacity expansion to accommodate growth in the Bakken Shale, and intermodal terminal expansion.
“This record capital plan continues our long-term focus on ensuring our network is prepared for the growing U.S. demand for freight rail,” said Matthew Rose, chairman and chief executive officer.
BN Railway employs about 250 Whitefish-based workers.