SALT LAKE CITY — Utah officers say a brand new intermodal facility close to Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport is a “sport changer” for the state’s provide chain.
Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah Legislature management have been readily available Thursday as BNSF Railway opened the brand new 43-acre facility inside Salt Lake Metropolis’s northwest quadrant, which will likely be operated by means of a partnership with Patriot Rail and the Utah Inland Port Authority.
The brand new facility will improve the nation’s second-largest freight operator’s connection between the West Coast and Utah, linking it with the remainder of its community. It additionally affords Utah companies new transport choices and higher entry to world markets, state officers say.
The modifications probably will not be observed instantly, however Utah Home Speaker Mike Schultz says it ought to enhance transport prices and make it simpler to ship items out and in of the state. These might help decrease costs for companies and customers in the long term, Schultz identified.
“This can be a sport changer for Utah’s economic system,” stated Abby Osborne, board chairwoman for the Utah Inland Port Authority. “By rising intermodal capability and introducing new competitors, we’re unlocking extra alternative for Utah producers, shippers and communities.”
Union Pacific has traditionally managed many of the rail transport within the state, however Patriot Rail has a presence as properly. It owns the Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway, which maintains a line on the west aspect of Salt Lake Metropolis, in addition to the Utah Central Railway in Ogden.
Beneath the partnership, Patriot Rail will present “terminal operations and infrastructure assist” on the facility, which is situated at 6199 W. North Temple, about 5 miles west of the airport. Brandy Christian, the corporate’s CEO, stated the brand new facility “meets the calls for of as we speak’s economic system” and likewise places the state able for better long-term success with regards to worldwide logistics.
Its opening comes because the railroad wars warmth again up in a brand new period.
Union Pacific unveiled this week a $85 billion proposal to buy Norfolk Southern, probably establishing the primary transcontinental railroad operated by one firm within the nation’s historical past. BNSF and Union Pacific additionally clashed over among the logistical particulars of the brand new Utah facility, together with the crews wanted to deal with among the trains between California and Utah, the freight news outlet FreightWaves.com reported last month.
However BNSF leaders see the brand new Utah facility as a key piece to bolster its service.
“This new facility is an thrilling alternative to enhance our capability and effectivity because the trade’s intermodal chief, offering extra versatile, aggressive choices for our prospects,” stated Tom Williams, govt vp and chief advertising and marketing officer of BNSF. “This new facility will strengthen our provide chains from the West Coast to Utah and past.”
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