BNSF NE/IA Double Track

[brad_in_omaha]

BNSF NE/IA Double Track

I was reading over on Trainorders that BNSF plans on Double Tracking the NE/IA mainline including a new Double Track Bridge over the Missouri River. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[njurgensen]

Got my fingers crossed that it's true. I can't verify of course. Long overdue in my mind with how much traffic can go through Oreapolis on a given day. Can't mean anything good for Omaha sub though. Omaha won't have much in the way of through traffic come a few years down the road...

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Locals and Amtrak... Gibson is an Intermodal terminal and there are a few industries down there.

 

[Pete Sakes]

This might have something to do with the rumor of a double tracking project: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/bnsf-unveils-3.5-billion-capital-program.html

 

[RailfanRails]

It would be cheaper to use the Omaha sub as the second track routing the wb empties and freights thru Omaha verses carving out land along the current main. Even though the Louisville route is river bottom land it will need to be shored up against floods and will have lots of bridges crossing all the streams if its double tracked. The Omaha sub grades wouldn't be all that bad with DPU operations and for westbounds. Eastbound loads would be challenged though. The Missouri crossing will be a big challenge as the current NE side grade is in a deep cut which will have to be widened and there is a large NG pipeline on the north side that will also need to be relocated.