Gov. Spencer Cox, legislative leaders give remarks at official ribbon cutting
FORT WORTH, TEXAS & SALT LAKE CITY, July 31, 2025 – BNSF Railway, one of North America’s leading freight transportation providers, in partnership with Patriot Rail and the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), announced today the official opening of the Class I railroad’s new intermodal facility in Salt Lake City. Governor Spencer Cox, legislative leaders and public-private partners gathered Thursday to celebrate the milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“This new facility is an exciting opportunity to improve our capacity and efficiency as the industry’s intermodal leader, providing more flexible, competitive options for our customers,” said BNSF Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Tom Williams. “We are grateful for Patriot Rail and UIPA’s partnership, as this new facility will strengthen our supply chains from the West Coast to Utah and beyond.”
The 43-acre site, located five miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, will be utilized in conjunction with BNSF’s new intermodal service between California and Salt Lake City, announced earlier this month. The service operates in close coordination with Patriot Rail, which will provide terminal operations and infrastructure support at the Salt Lake facility.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to smart, scalable infrastructure,” said Patriot Rail CEO Brandy Christian. “By working together with BNSF and UIPA, we’ve delivered a project that not only meets the demands of today’s economy but also positions Utah for long-term success in the global logistics arena.”
“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.”
This strategic launch reflects a shared vision for a more connected, sustainable, cost-efficient and resilient future for the nation’s supply chain.
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About BNSF Railway
BNSF is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, BNSF operates approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.
About Patriot Rail
Patriot Rail is a short line and regional rail service provider in the United States with 31 short line railroads, three excursion railroads and support services for customers including transloading, railcar storage, and real estate and logistics planning and assistance. Patriot Rail’s principal operations consist of rail freight transportation and ancillary rail services, operating over 1,200 miles with a presence in 24 states. For more information, visit https://patriotrail.com/.
About UIPA
As a state entity, UIPA has a unique role to coordinate a statewide economic development and logistics system to ensure long-term sustainability and statewide value. To learn more about UIPA project areas, developments and its members, visit inlandportauthority.utah.gov.
Contacts:
Kendall Sloan, [email protected]
Katie Roller, [email protected]
Kaitlin Felsted, [email protected]