BNSF Expands with 350-Acre Intermodal Facility in Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ – BNSF Railway has initiated site preparation for a new intermodal facility on a 350-acre parcel in northwest Maricopa County. The facility is the first phase of the company’s planned 4,320-acre Logistics Park Phoenix project. Operations at the new intermodal hub are slated to commence in early 2027, pending final county approval of a revised development plan.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The project consists of a 350-acre intermodal terminal designed to increase rail capacity for moving freight containers between trains and trucks. This terminal is the anchor of a much larger 4,320-acre logistics park that BNSF will develop. The development aims to address state planners’ projections of a 60% increase in freight volume through Arizona by 2045, as many existing rail facilities in the region are operating near full capacity.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The 4,320-acre BNSF Logistics Park Phoenix is a significant inland port development, though smaller in scale than the largest such facility in North America. For comparison, the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet and Elwood, Illinois, which serves the Chicago region, spans over 6,400 acres and is jointly served by BNSF and Union Pacific. While BNSF’s Arizona project is substantial, the Illinois facility remains the benchmark for master-planned inland logistics hubs in the United States. A direct financial comparison to other projects was not possible as the total investment value for Logistics Park Phoenix has not been disclosed.

Editor’s Analysis

BNSF’s investment in Arizona is a strategic response to both regional growth and national supply chain pressures. With the national diesel average exceeding $5 per gallon and truckload rates rising amid a tightening market, the economic case for long-haul rail intermodal becomes more compelling for shippers (Source: DAT). This facility positions BNSF to capture increased freight volume from West Coast ports and capitalize on the “nearshoring” trend that is strengthening logistics corridors through the U.S. Southwest.

FAQ

Q: Why is BNSF building this new facility in Arizona?
A: The project is designed to meet a projected 60% increase in Arizona’s freight traffic by 2045. BNSF has stated that many of the existing rail facilities in the state are already approaching their maximum operational capacity.

Q: What is the total size of the Logistics Park Phoenix?
A: The entire planned logistics park will cover 4,320 acres. The initial phase currently under construction is the intermodal facility, which will occupy 350 acres of the total property.

Q: Has the project received all necessary approvals?
A: BNSF has begun early construction and site preparation work while it awaits final approval from Maricopa County officials for a revised development plan covering the park and the intermodal facility.