BNSF plans 2013 capital program of $4.1B; capacity expansion to accommodate Bakken Shale products

21 January 2013

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) announced a planned 2013 capital commitment program of approximately $4.1 billion, approximately a $450-million increase over its 2012 capital spend of $3.6 billion.

The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2.3 billion on BNSF’s core network and related assets. BNSF also plans to spend approximately $1 billion on locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions. In addition, the program includes about $250 million for continued installation of federally mandated positive train control (PTC) 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 Bakken Shale-related industrial products growth, intermodal terminal expansion, such as the completion of BNSF’s Kansas City Intermodal Facility, and other terminal improvements to enhance productivity and velocity.

Earlier in January, BNSF CEO Matt Rose said the railway’s crude-oil shipments would rise by 40% this year, helping to blunt a decline in coal cargo.

BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages.