‘We are strengthening Utah’s role in the global supply chain’: Cox inaugurates new railroad facility

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R-Utah) inaugurated BNSF Railway’s new 43-acre site not far from the Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday.

“Smart infrastructure like this improves daily lives for Utahns… We are strengthening Utah’s role in the global supply chain and boosting our competitiveness for manufacturing and economic development wins,” Cox said at the inauguration alongside leaders of North America’s leading freight transportation providers.

The new intermodal facility is expected to serve customers with a more efficient supply chain, offering a cost-effective, reliable option to move shipments across BNSF Railway’s 32,500-mile network.

This project is being done in partnership with Patriot Rail and the Utah Inland Port Authority. Organizers said the new intermodal facility will be utilized in conjunction with BNSF Railway’s new service between California and Salt Lake City. The service will also provide terminal operations and infrastructure support at the Salt Lake facility.

“This is a game changer for Utah’s economy,” said Abby Osborne, board chair for the Utah Inland Port Authority and chief of staff for the Utah House of Representatives. “By increasing intermodal capacity and introducing new competition, we’re unlocking more opportunity for Utah manufacturers, shippers, and communities. This expansion supports our broader vision to make Utah a national leader in resilient, efficient, and forward-thinking logistics.”

“It’s a big deal for Utah because it will power our communities. It will boost our economy and enhance our long-term competitiveness,” Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams said.” Utah is a manufacturing state. We’ve got a great economy here.”

BNSF Railway is one of the nation’s largest railroads, with tracks crossing the Western United States. It is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate of Omaha, Nebraska.