BNSF Gets First OK in Road to Huge Phoenix-Area Logistics Center

The NW Phoenix suburb of Surprise Arizona will likely be the spot for a 4,000 acre intermodal freight and logistics center. The town changed its master plan to convert the property from residential to industrial. BNSF paid nearly $50 million for the land about a year ago; Arizona State land, which was bought at auction. The company announced recently that the project represents a $4 billion investment and over 4,000 jobs. BNSF says the investment will include maintenance projects, work on the tracks, new equipment and construction of new facilities.

In 2007, BNSF proposed a 130-acre rail yard, 200-acre automotive shipping facility with up to 16 million square feet of warehouse space in Surprise, but the project was put on hold during the Great Recession. At the time, BNSF projected the project would create 6,000 jobs.

The BNSF line runs north from Phoenix, through Surprise on the way to Flagstaff where it links up with another prominent east/west line. More permits are needed before the project can get started.