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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

BNSF Railway Plans $125 Million To Expand and Improve Facilities in Everett and Orillia, Washington

08/20/2013
BNSF Railway Company plans to invest an estimated $125 million on expansion, maintenance and rail capacity improvements in Everett and Orillia Washington, along with track enhancements throughout the state.

The railway’s enhancement projects include construction of two receiving and departure tracks nearly 7,000 feet long at BNSF’s Delta yard in Everett, Washington, along with expanding BNSF’s automotive distribution facility at Orillia to support growth in new automobile traffic. The firm also plans to conduct signal upgrades for federally mandated positive train control.

In addition, BNSF will also continue a significant track maintenance program in Washington, which will include nearly 2,800 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of about 175 miles of rail and 110,000 railroad ties.

“BNSF’s capital investments in Washington will help ensure our network is prepared for growing demand for freight rail,” said Matthew K. Rose, chairman and chief executive officer. “We are focused on investing to meet our customers’ expectations and on expanding capacity where growth is occurring. Given the importance of a low cost supply chain to the U.S. economy, our privately funded rail infrastructure is well positioned to help Washington compete in global markets.”

The planned capital investments in Washington are part of BNSF’s record 2013 capital commitment of $4.3 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, many of which will serve Washington. The program also includes about $200 million for positive train control and $800 million for terminal, line and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.

The company said unlike other modes of transportation, U.S. freight railroads use their own private dollars, not tax dollars, to build and maintain their freight rail networks. Since the year 2000, BNSF has invested more than $42 billion to improve and expand its freight rail network.

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