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.