EMPORIA, Kan. KSNT – BNSF Railway has announced the completion of a significant double-track project on its Southern Transcon route, a key rail corridor stretching 2,200 miles from Southern California to Chicago.
The final segment of double-track, a 3.5-mile stretch between Rose Hill and Mulvane, was completed on Nov. 18. This addition marks the culmination of 51 miles of new track for the Emporia subdivision, which has been under construction since 2019.
“This final segment will blend seamlessly into the existing double-track at Mulvane, ensuring uninterrupted train movement across the subdivision,” said Craig Rasmussen, assistant vice president of engineering services and structures at BNSF. “The goal has always been to keep trains flowing smoothly.”
The Emporia subdivision is now entirely equipped with at least two main lines, allowing trains to travel in both directions without delays.
The newly completed track is expected to significantly improve BNSF’s transportation efficiency, particularly during the holiday shipping season. Travel time for trains along the Southern Transcon will be reduced by approximately 90 minutes.
Jon Gabriel, group vice president of consumer products, emphasized the importance of this upgrade, stating, “Our Southern Transcon is now nearly entirely double-, triple-, or quadruple-tracked. This capacity enables us to run priority intermodal trains seamlessly, enhancing delivery times and efficiency for key markets.”
The Southern Transcon serves as a vital “super highway” for domestic freight, facilitating the movement of goods across major U.S. markets.