BNSF Railway Plans Largest Capital Improvement Program

MINNEAPOLIS -- BNSF Railway will be busy upgrading their tracks this year after the company announced the largest capital investment program in its history. The rail company has committed $6,000,000,000 nationwide to upgrade its infrastructure and increase capacity, $326,000,000 of which is slated for Minnesota projects.

BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth says here in Minnesota, they will be replacing a total of about 125 miles of rail, 427,000 ties and surfacing and undercutting work on 269 additional miles of track.

McBeth says they are also adding track capacity in central Minnesota. BNSF will be adding double-track segments from Becker to Big Lake and from Little Falls to Darling.

Improved signaling projects will also take place in Monticello, Staples and St. Croix.

McBeth says the capital improvements are designed to increase capacity and efficiency in getting commodities to market.