Intermodal Network Update for Friday, July 21, 2023
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
BNSF operating teams are generating improved performance despite heat-related service interruptions causing some negative impacts during the past week. Average car velocity was up slightly versus the prior week and the level for June. Terminal dwell is unchanged from last week, but the average remains lower than the previous month. Our local service compliance measure, which reflects our efficiency in handling carload freight, improved and continues to exceed 90 percent. Total volume rebounded from the Independence Day holiday week, increasing 15 percent.
Traffic will begin to traverse the new bridge constructed on the Montana Rail Link (MRL) near Reed Point, MT, this weekend. Customers that have shipments designated to move through the area may still see some nonstandard routings, locations and interchanges when tracing their shipment as some reroutes will continue to be utilized to maintain network fluidity. Traffic will begin to normalize in the coming weeks.
SERVICE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
We are continuing to monitor extreme, prolonged heat impacting parts of the network. Record-breaking high temperatures nearing 120 degrees were recorded in Phoenix, AZ, this week, and high temperatures are expected to continue in parts of the desert Southwest during the next several days. More frequent inspections are being conducted and BNSF is prepared to respond to any heat-related service interruptions. Other locations along the network should experience seasonable conditions for this time of year.
Over the past few weeks, BNSF capital gangs have been working on a multi-year, multi-phased expansion project to increase capacity and improve velocity by adding five miles of double track to our Fort Worth Subdivision, our heavily trafficked route running from north Fort Worth, Texas, to Temple. The completion of the Trinity River Bridge marked an important project milestone. Thanks to our team's hard work, the first train crossed the new bridge near downtown Fort Worth last weekend. For this phase, the final significant construction window will begin on Sunday morning, July 23, and last approximately 48 hours. During this time, trains to and from the Dallas-Fort Worth area will be delayed. If you have concerns or need assistance with your shipment, please use the BNSF Customer Portal's Message Us feature or contact your marketing representative.
The first BNSF training crossing the new Trinity River Bridge near downtown Fort Worth – July 2023.
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