Information is starting to trickle out about BNSF’s planned “Regional Industrial Rail Facility,” also known as the BNSF Railway Western Hub near Surprise.
The company started the process to develop the 3,500-acre site and have it annexed into the city after submitting the sole bid in an Arizona State Land Department auction in March.
BNSF’s plans for the site include an industrial park with warehouse/manufacturing, distribution and other facilities. Documents submitted in support of the plan state the site’s intermodal capacities would be beneficial for companies and would permit the efficient movement of goods and materials through a combination of rail and truck-based transportation.
If built as planned, the project would be the area’s first logistics and intermodal center.
The company is requesting a major amendment to the Surprise general plan, redesignating the site from residential to industrial use, to accommodate the project. BNSF is also requesting annexation into the Surprise city limits and an industrial rezoning after the plan amendment. BNSF could undertake the development as a unified project if approved.
There is presently little significant utility or road infrastructure in the area, and BNSF has stated the overall region would benefit from development as the project advances in the heavily rural area.
State records say the company hopes to commence construction by 2025. (Source)