BNSF to Build New Integrated Rail Complex in Barstow to Increase Supply Chain Efficiency Nationwide
October 01 2022 - 3:00PM
Business Wire
First-of-its kind integrated facility will
create 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, and reduce port and freeway
congestion around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
BNSF Railway today announced plans to invest more than $1.5
billion to construct a state-of-the-art master-planned rail
facility in Southern California – and the first being developed by
a Class 1 railroad.
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the full release here:
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Barstow Mountain Train (Photo: Business
Wire)
The Barstow International Gateway will be an approximately
4,500-acre new integrated rail facility on the west side of
Barstow, consisting of a rail yard, intermodal facility and
warehouses for transloading freight from international containers
to domestic containers. The facility will allow the direct transfer
of containers from ships at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
to trains for transport through the Alameda Corridor onto the BNSF
mainline up to Barstow. Once the containers reach the Barstow
International Gateway, they will be processed at the facility using
clean-energy powered cargo-handling equipment, and then staged and
built into trains moving east via BNSF’s network across the nation.
Westbound freight will similarly be processed at the facility to
more efficiently bring trains to the ports and other California
terminals.
“By allowing for more efficient transfer of cargo directly
between ships and rail, the Barstow International Gateway will
maximize rail and distribution efficiency regionally and across the
U.S. supply chain and reduce truck traffic and freeway congestion
in the Los Angeles Basin and the Inland Empire,” said Katie Farmer,
President and CEO of BNSF. “This will play a critical role in
improving fluidity throughout our rail network, moving containers
off the ports quicker, and facilitating improved efficiency at our
existing intermodal hubs, including those in the Midwest and Texas.
The facility will also have an important positive economic impact,
including the creation of new, local railroad jobs,” said
Farmer.
“The significance of BNSF’s investment to improve the supply
chain here in California cannot be overstated. Rail plays a
critical role in moving goods safely and efficiently, while
reducing emissions due to congestion in many of our high-traffic
corridors,” said Trelynd Bradley, Deputy Director of Sustainable
Freight and Supply Chain Development at the Governor's Office of
Business and Economic Development. He added, “Projects like BNSF’s
will work to strengthen our inland local economies, such as that of
Barstow in San Bernardino County. We look forward to continuing to
work with projects like these, as well as others, to drive
transformative investments that will enhance and elevate
California’s supply chain ecosystem for a more efficient and
resilient tomorrow.”
“BNSF’s planned Barstow International Gateway will improve cargo
velocity through our port and reduce truck traffic on our
freeways,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.
“This project will help ensure that goods moving through the San
Pedro Bay will get to consumers, businesses and manufacturers with
speed and reliability.”
“The Port of Long Beach welcomes BNSF’s planned Barstow
International Gateway in the High Desert. This project will help
improve supply chain fluidity, reduce environmental impacts and
enhance the competitiveness of California and the nation’s largest
port complex,” said Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach Executive
Director.
Dawn Rowe, San Bernardino County Supervisor for the Third
District, added, “The County of San Bernardino plays a critical
role in supporting the movement of goods to the rest of the
country. Barstow International Gateway will be essential for
modeling new and efficient ways to address supply chain issues that
have impacted everyone over the past several years.”
Willie A. Hopkins, Jr., Barstow City Manager emphasized, “This
facility will bring thousands of jobs to Barstow, while increasing
equity, opportunity and the economic competitiveness of the High
Desert.” He continued, “BNSF has been an important part of our city
since its inception and on this 75th anniversary, we are proud to
partner with them to ensure our success in the future.”
“We appreciate the support from leaders at the state, regional
and city level and look forward to building on our 140-year history
in the High Desert to open the Barstow International Gateway as
soon as possible,” affirmed BNSF’s Farmer.
For more information, please visit Barstow International Gateway
Project.
About BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight
transportation companies. BNSF operates approximately 32,500 route
miles of track in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian
provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods,
grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial
goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and
beverages. BNSF’s shipments 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. We work 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.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221001005031/en/
Lena Kent General Director, Public Affairs (909) 386-4140
Lena.kent@bnsf.com