Barstow International Gateway Approved by City Council, Marking Major Milestone for U.S. Freight Infrastructure
BNSF Railway has announced that the Barstow City Council has officially approved the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project, representing a major milestone in what is expected to be one of the largest freight infrastructure investments in California’s history.
The approval clears a key regulatory hurdle for the ambitious development, which is designed to transform how international cargo moves through Southern California and across the broader U.S. rail network.
A 4,500-Acre Next-Generation Rail Facility
The Barstow International Gateway is a planned 4,500-acre integrated rail facility located on the west side of Barstow, California. The project will include a fully integrated rail yard, an intermodal terminal, and transload warehouses that will streamline the transfer of freight between international and domestic containers.
The facility is designed to improve efficiency by shifting cargo arriving at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach directly from ships onto trains. Containers will travel through the Alameda Corridor and then move along BNSF’s mainline directly to Barstow, where they will be processed and redistributed.
At the Barstow site, containers will be transferred using zero-emission cargo-handling equipment, sorted, and assembled into trains bound for destinations across BNSF’s national rail network. The facility will also consolidate westbound freight, improving operational efficiency for return routes and reducing congestion at port-adjacent terminals.
Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency and Reliability
According to BNSF leadership, the project represents a major advancement in supply chain modernization, offering improved network fluidity, reduced congestion, and faster inland freight movement.
“BIG is a transformative, next generation rail facility that will deliver meaningful benefits for our customers,” said Katie Farmer, President and Chief Executive Officer of BNSF Railway. “By creating a more resilient, efficient, and low-carbon freight system, we’re giving shippers faster, more reliable inland access and greater network fluidity. This $4 billion private investment strengthens the entire supply chain, reduces congestion at the ports, and gives our customers a seamless product with greater optionality and flexibility.”
BNSF emphasized that the project is designed not only to improve logistics performance but also to support long-term competitiveness for shippers operating in global markets. By reducing bottlenecks at coastal ports and improving inland distribution, the facility is expected to significantly enhance transit reliability across key freight corridors.
Customer-Centric Design for Improved Freight Movement
The Barstow International Gateway has been designed with a strong focus on customer needs, particularly in improving the efficiency of cargo transfers between maritime ports and inland rail networks.
“BIG is designed with our customers at the center,” said Tom Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at BNSF Railway. “By streamlining the handoff from the San Pedro Bay Ports to our national network, we’re improving transit times, increasing capacity, and enhancing service reliability across long-haul corridors. This facility will help our customers compete in a global marketplace by ensuring their freight moves efficiently, sustainably, and with fewer bottlenecks from origin to destination.”
The project is expected to significantly improve capacity across the logistics system, allowing for smoother freight flows and more predictable shipping schedules for customers across multiple industries.
Economic Development and Regional Impact
Local government leaders have highlighted the project’s potential to generate significant economic benefits for the High Desert region, including job creation and long-term investment in infrastructure and community development.
“This is a landmark project that will shape the future of Barstow by creating thousands of jobs in the High Desert, propelling economic development, and supporting more efficient goods movement through the region,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “San Bernardino County welcomes BNSF’s investment in the community and is excited to see this long-anticipated project come to fruition.”
The project is expected to create employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases, supporting skilled labor demand in logistics, engineering, transportation, and facility operations.
A Shift in California’s Freight Movement Strategy
The Barstow International Gateway represents a fundamental shift in California’s freight logistics strategy. By relocating key container sorting and processing functions away from congested port-adjacent areas to an inland hub in Barstow, the project is designed to reduce pressure on urban infrastructure while improving efficiency across the supply chain.
This inland shift enables a greater transition from long-haul trucking to rail transport, which is widely considered more fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable. As a result, the project is expected to deliver significant reductions in highway congestion, emissions, and wear on regional road networks.
BNSF projects that the facility will eliminate approximately 205 million truck miles traveled (TMT) in 2028, increasing to 269 million TMT in 2033 and 312 million TMT by 2048. These reductions are expected to provide substantial environmental benefits while also improving traffic conditions in densely populated areas.
Commitment to Zero-Emission and Clean Technologies
Sustainability is a central component of the Barstow International Gateway project. BNSF has committed to deploying a range of zero-emission and low-emission technologies at the facility, including rail-mounted gantry cranes, hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes, zero-emission forklifts, and electric plug-in systems for refrigerated containers.
In addition, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District to demonstrate and advance zero-emission technologies, including battery-electric switcher locomotives. BNSF has also entered into an agreement with the California Air Resources Board to explore additional emissions-reduction initiatives and pursue potential grant funding opportunities.
As part of its broader environmental strategy, BNSF has voluntarily committed to replacing existing switcher locomotives at the Barstow facility with Tier 4 locomotives, which represent the cleanest available diesel technology currently in service.
Supporting Cleaner Air and Sustainable Growth
Environmental and regulatory partners have highlighted the importance of the project’s clean technology integration and its potential to improve air quality across the region.
“BIG represents the kind of forward-looking investment that delivers real benefits for both the environment and the businesses that rely on a strong, efficient supply chain,” said Brad Poiriez, Executive Director of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District. “By partnering with BNSF to demonstrate and advance zero-emission technologies, we’re helping create a cleaner freight system that supports economic growth while protecting air quality for the communities of the Mojave Desert.”
A Transformational Infrastructure Investment
With city council approval secured, the Barstow International Gateway moves closer to becoming a reality. The project stands as a transformative investment in freight infrastructure, combining advanced logistics design, environmental innovation, and regional economic development.
Once completed, BIG is expected to play a critical role in reshaping freight movement across California and the broader United States, strengthening supply chain resilience while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
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