Stop the BNSF Railroad From Constructing an InterModal Hub in the Phoenix West Valley!
BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railway is one of North America’s largest freight railroads. BNSF Railway is proposing to build a large railway project in Wittman, NW of Surprise bordering Grand Ave, that will include a 1,770-acre Intermodal facility, a 1,420-acre Logistics Park with warehouses, a 1,109-acre Logistics Center, and a 22-acre Wastewater Treatment facility. BNSF projects 22,000 vehicle trips per day in and out of the area when the project is at full buildout.
Railways have federal preemptive rights dating back to the 1800’s, which likely means that BNSF Railway could build portions of the project, including the Intermodal Facility, without local permitting or zoning approval. It is debatable if the Logistics Center could be built without local permitting and zoning approvals, but it appears clear that the Logistics Park, which includes the warehouses, would need local zoning approval. BNSF Railway has told Debbie Lesko, Member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, that they may proceed with portions of the project, even if the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors denies their zoning request.
