Wittmann Residents Push Back on BNSF’s $3.2B Railyard Plan

BNSF Railway’s ambitious plan to build a $3.2 billion intermodal railyard in Wittmann, Arizona is facing intense backlash from local residents. Here’s what investors need to know:


🚧 Project Overview

  • Location: 1,770-acre intermodal facility in Wittmann, NW of Phoenix.
  • Scope: Also includes a 1,400-acre logistics park and 1,100-acre logistics center—BNSF’s first all-in-one site.
  • Timeline: Construction may start in late 2025, with the intermodal facility opening by 2028.
  • Access: Most truck and vehicle traffic to route via U.S. 60 instead of local roads.

😡 Local Opposition Highlights

  • Community Pushback: Heated town hall meeting revealed deep distrust. Residents say project threatens their rural, equestrian lifestyle.
  • Noise & Disruption: Residents worry about 22,000+ daily vehicle trips (including 6,600 trucks) and constant construction.
  • Livelihood Impact: Loss of grazing land for cattle ranchers; fear of declining property values.
  • “Buy Us Out” Requests: Residents urged BNSF to purchase their homes to allow a fair exit.

🏗 Mitigation Attempts by BNSF

  • Setbacks of over 400 feet from homes for nearest warehouses.
  • Berms and landscaping to screen views.
  • Intermodal cranes will operate 3,000 feet from closest homes.
  • Ongoing noise studies to identify mitigation strategies.

🗓 What’s Next?

  • Approval Pending: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to decide on the plan August 20.
  • Uncertainty Remains: Residents remain skeptical and unconvinced by BNSF’s concessions.

🔎 Takeaway for Real Estate Investors

  • Strategic Logistics Location: Strong long-term demand for distribution and intermodal facilities in the Phoenix metro.
  • Local Sentiment Matters: Development friction can delay or alter plans—investor caution advised.
  • Potential Upside: If approved, expect increased industrial demand, job growth, and possible spinoff investments in West Valley logistics corridors.