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BNSF investing $3.4 billion across its system
BNSF’s 2017 capital expenditure plan will be about $3.4 billion, which will include $175 million that will be invested in Washington state.
“Each year we establish a capital plan that reflects the future needs of our customers and the constant need to keep our infrastructure in good working condition. This year’s capital plan ensures we continue to operate a safe and reliable rail network while capturing the new opportunities our customers will present to us,” said Carl Ice, BNSF president and chief executive officer. “Our ongoing investments, along with the outstanding efforts of our employees, resulted in the lowest number of derailments in company history last ye ar. The strength and condition of our railroad today gives us the confidence that we will operate safely in the communities we serve and meet our customers’ expectations of reliable and consistent service.”
Similar to last year’s $3.9 billion plan, the largest component of the plan will be to replace and maintain BNSF’s core network and related assets. This year that component is expected to be $2.4 billion. The projects included in this part of the plan will primarily be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast (which are the main components for the tracks on which BNSF trains operate) and maintaining its rolling stock. This year’s maintenance program will include approximately 20,000 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting w ork and the replacement of about 600 miles of rail and nearly 3 million rail ties. Rounding out the plan will be $400 million for expansion projects, $100 million for the implementation of positive train control and $400 million for locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisitions.
For Washington, BNSF’s maintenance program includes about 920 miles of track surfacing and/undercutting work, the replacement of nearly 30 miles of rail and close to 150,000 ties. This year’s capital projects in the state also include continuing the replacement of the Washougal River bridge in Camas and follow more than $650 million invested by BNSF in its network in Washington over the past four years.
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BNSF, contractors provide first responders with winter oil spill response training
BNSF, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Boundary and Bonner County Emergency Management, and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality completed an all-day cold weather oil spill response training on Saturday, Jan. 14th on the Kootenai River. Approximately 40 Boundary and Bonner County and Tribal first responders, and oil spill contractors were trained in the use of fast water oil spill boom placement, ice cutting and ice rescue techniques. The training took place at the Twin Rivers Hatchery campground in Moyie Springs, Idaho. As part of the training scenario, first responders deployed oil spill boom equipment to protect the hatchery’s water intake in the Kootenai River.
BNSF and contractors exercised the oil spill equipment staged locally at the Twin Rivers Campground and at the Bonners Ferry Fire Station. BNSF also mobilized specialized in ice rescue and ice slotting gear to allow first responders to be trained with this equipment. Thick ice located at the confluence of the Moyie and Kootenai Rivers provided a good opportunity for attendees to practice ice rescue and ice booming strategies. Attendees also learned techniques to self-rescue as well as how to rescue others from icy rivers.
BNSF wants to thank all of the first responders from the North Bench Fire District, South Boundary Fire District, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Boundary County Sheriff’s Department, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Police Department, Boundary Search & Dive Rescue Team, and Boundary and Bonner County Emergency Management, among others, for attending the training and partnering to protect the Kootenai River Corridor.
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BNSF employees clear tracks of heavy snow
In recent days, as severe weather hit parts of BNSF’s North Region, employees have been working to maintain service under challenging conditions.
This video shows teams on BNSF’s Montana Division operating rotary snow plows and other equipment to clear snow drifts. On the Mobridge Subdivision near Lemmon, S.D., for instance, snow drifts were as high as 8 feet, wind gusts reached 60 mph and wind chill temperatures were as low as -35 degrees F.
Across the network, the dedicated efforts of our BNSF Operations employees and contractors are helping us keep trains – and our customers’ freight – moving.
Click on the above video to see more!
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Rail safety tips
Watch for the second train!
When you’re at a crossing with more than one track, don’t try to cross immediately after the end of the train passes by. There may be another train approaching on the other track. Trains obscure other trains.
Did you know?
You will always know how many tracks are at the crossing by observing the familiar “crossbuck” (white X-shaped sign with black letters that spell “railroad crossing”). Directly below the crossbuck is a sign that indicates the number of tracks present if there are multiple tracks at the crossing. The crossbuck is also a regulatory sign that means “yield the right-of-way” to the train.
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Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452
To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.
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Have a Question for Us?
Do you have a question about BNSF or rail in the Pacific Northwest that you would like addressed in future issues of Inside Track? Send them to
[email protected].
We welcome your feedback and ideas!
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