BNSF Railways Plans $92 Million In Oklahoma Improvement Projects

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railways says it plans on investing an estimated $92 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Oklahoma this year.

Wednesday, the railroad said their track maintenance program in Oklahoma will include 667 miles of track surfacing and undercutting work, the replacement of 29 miles of rail and about 196,000 ties, as well as significant signal upgrades.

"Investment in BNSF's network in Oklahoma is an investment in Oklahoma jobs and competitiveness, and will ensure our infrastructure remains strong and efficient to better serve Oklahoma shippers and the state's economy," said Matthew K. Rose, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The planned capital investments in Oklahoma are part of BNSF's total 2012 capital commitment of $3.9 billion. The railroad also plans to spend approximately $1.1 billion on locomotive, freight car and other equipment acquisitions, many of which will serve Oklahoma.

BNSF fact sheet on its Oklahoma operations.

BNSF says U.S. Department of Commerce economic data indicates that every dollar invested in freight railroads yields $3 in economic output and according to a Department of Commerce economic model, every freight rail job supports another 4.5 jobs somewhere else in our economy.