BNSF designates three new properties as Certified Sites

Date
Nov 30, 2017

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, Nov. 30, 2017 – BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) announced today that three new properties have been awarded the company’s Certified Site designation. The sites, located in Minot, N.D.; Avard, Okla.; and Sioux Falls, S.D. have already been scouted by BNSF and evaluated for their shovel-readiness. As a Certified Site, businesses looking to locate at any of these properties could save six to nine months of construction time as a result of this analysis, which includes an evaluation of environmental and geotechnical standards, available utilities, site availability and existing and projected infrastructure.

Details for all 13 BNSF Certified Sites are available at bnsf.com/rail-development. The three newest Certified Sites feature hundreds of acres ready for new construction:

  • Minot, N.D. – With direct access to the BNSF rail line, the Industrial Park of Minot features 386 acres that are rail served and ready for development. The Industrial Park is zoned heavy industrial and features convenient access to three U.S. highways. A total of 80 acres on the site have already been graded and are ready for immediate construction.
  • Avard, Okla. – Avard Regional Industrial Rail Park features 390 acres available for development with access to a 6,000 foot rail siding which serves as a foundation for additional rail spurs as industries arrive in the park.
  • Sioux Falls, S.D. – Foundation Park is located near the Minnesota and Iowa state lines and the intersection of I-29 and I-90. Consisting of more than 425 acres, the first tenant has started construction on a cold-storage facility at the park.

The Certified Sites are a part of BNSF’s Premier Parks, Sites and Transload program. The program is a strategic approach that addresses the increasing demand for customer site locations by developing various types of facilities across BNSF’s network. BNSF Certified Sites have been reviewed by an industry expert in order to ensure accurate, reliable data. The goal of the program is to provide an inventory of rail-served sites that are available for immediate development.

About BNSF

BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies. 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.