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BNSF Selects Contractor to Build New Intermodal Facility

Also today the Kansas Department of Transportation announced that an agreement for a $35 million grant to BNSF from the state's Rail Assistance Program has been finalized.

BNSF's new 443-acre intermodal facility will build upon rail's existing environmental advantages by setting a new standard for efficiency and low-emissions in the rail industry. The new intermodal facility will feature wide-span electric cranes that produce zero emissions on-site and automatic gate systems to speed up the movement of traffic entering and departing the facility, further improving efficiency and reducing emissions. The facility will also incorporate an approximate 60-acre conservation corridor for water quality benefits to the area.

"The Kansas City market has developed into one of the most important freight transportation hubs in the Midwest and the nation," said Matthew K. Rose, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BNSF. "BNSF's new intermodal facility will help the region's economy grow in a more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly way by expanding this market's capacity to shift even more freight traffic from an all-highway move to rail."

BNSF intends to begin construction planning before the end of 2010 and site preparation and facility construction are expected to commence in 2011.

The contractor has a commitment with BNSF to hire at least 85 percent of its workforce locally in the Kansas City area, to hire employees and subcontractors at the prevailing wage, and to use Minority and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises for a significant amount of the work. The project will generate an estimated 660 construction jobs.

The $35 million grant from the Rail Assistance Program will be repaid from the state utilities sales tax generated on the intermodal facility and the separate logistics park development.

"The rail grant not only helps get this project under way now, it supports a long-term investment that will create about 8,700 jobs at full build-out and have huge economic returns for the state," said Kansas Transportation Secretary Deb Miller.

About BNSF

BNSF Railway is one of North America's leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,000 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain, industrial goods and low-sulfur coal that help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. And we are working continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.

BNSF Railway Company
Steve Forsberg, 817-867-6418