OREANDA-NEWS. CN announced today the details of its 2015 plan to invest CAD 2.7 billionin rail infrastructure maintenance and improvements, as well as in new capacity, equipment and technology to raise network safety and efficiency, improve service and support future growth.

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said: "With the work season now well underway, CN is embarking on a large number of maintenance and construction projects to ensure we continue to run a safe railway and play a continuing role as a true backbone of the economy."

CN is planning to spend approximately CAD 1.4 billion on track infrastructure. This will include the replacement of rail, ties and other track materials, bridge improvements, as well as various branch-line upgrades. Such investments allow CN to improve the network and are part of a multi-year program aimed at maintaining a high level of safety and efficiency while helping CN's customers grow.

Within its track infrastructure spending, CN is allocating CAD 100 million to upgrade its feeder network. This investment is part of the CAD 500-million program announced earlier this year to upgrade branch lines that are experiencing rising volumes of traffic.

CN safety investments this year will include additional fault detection systems such as wayside inspection system technology, hot wheel detectors, wheel impact load detectors, signaled sidings to detect broken rails, and new geometry testing and joint-bar inspection technology.

CN will also spend approximately CAD 800 million in 2015 on growth and productivity initiatives such as yard improvements, intermodal terminals, transload and distribution centres and information technology.

CN's equipment capital expenditures in 2015 are targeted to reach approximately CAD 500 million, allowing the company to tap growth opportunities and improve the quality of the fleet. As part of this initiative, CN expects to take delivery of 90 new high-horsepower locomotives and will invest in new rolling stock and freight car refurbishments.

Mongeau concluded: "CN is investing in a safe, efficient railway that is building on a strong foundation as well as building for the future in this the 20th anniversary year of our initial public offering of shares. We are proud of our achievements and our record of investing significant capital in the business to ensure a sustainable enterprise for many years to come."