October 2024
On October 3, BNSF Railway partnered with the City of Barstow to provide updates on the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project and other initiatives aimed at fostering growth and opportunities in the area. Interim City Manager Andrew Espinoza outlined the city’s General Plan update, while BNSF emphasized the transformative potential of the BIG project, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs and establish Barstow as a major transportation and commerce hub. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte, State Senator Shannon Grove, and San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, along with Colin Drukker of Placeworks and Lena Kent, BNSF’s executive director of public affairs, discussed how BIG aligns with city priorities such as housing expansion, school and recreational improvements, enhanced transportation, and economic growth.
They also addressed challenges like new California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations, with BNSF committed to navigating these obstacles by engaging the community and leveraging insights from other successful projects to secure Barstow’s future.
August 2024
Texas Tour Highlights BIG Benefits to Come
To get a better grasp of what the Barstow International Gateway project could mean for their community, Barstow city staff took a trip to Ft. Worth, Texas. They toured the Alliance Intermodal Facility, which has been serving the area for 30 years. During their visit, they learned about how intermodal facilities work and the benefits they offer, like well-paying jobs, new development, and increased tax revenue. They also stopped by BNSF headquarters to chat about the company’s commitment to sustainability and the perks of moving goods by rail.
April 2024
California Air Resources Board In-Use Locomotive Rule
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed regulations that would require zero-emissions locomotives to be used in California and requested a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the rule. However, this technology is not commercially viable, and it’s not clear when it will be.
The effect of the regulation would be devastating:
- Projects like the Barstow International Gateway would be canceled, eliminating thousands of well-paying jobs and supply chain efficiencies
- Our supply chain would suffer without new rail projects that improve efficiency, increasing costs for shippers and consumers
- It will slow our transition to lower-emission locomotives
- Highway congestion and emissions will increase because of a shift away from rail
Thousands of BIG supporters submitted comments to the EPA during the comment period, urging the EPA to reject CARB’s request and keep BIG on track!
March 2024
City of Barstow General Plan/BIG Project Scoping
On March 13, the City of Barstow hosted a scoping meeting regarding its General Plan Update and the Barstow International Gateway project. The open house meeting included the presentation of project information and the opportunity to ask questions of City and BNSF staff. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide input on the environmental issues that will be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which is expected to be released next year.
May 2023
BIG Project Community Outreach
Following the announcement of the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project last October, BNSF, in partnership with the City of Barstow and the Barstow Chamber of Commerce, has hosted 13 small community workshops, bringing together more than 100 stakeholders across a variety of interests, including healthcare, real estate, education, small business, youth sports, seniors/veterans, students, and the military to hear their thoughts.
Participants in these groups were generally supportive of the project and felt that it would bring significant positive benefits to Barstow, including increased revenue, population growth, well-paid/living wage jobs, and economic development, with a commensurate opportunity for improvements in services, schools, and opportunities for residents. In addition, participants cited the chance to improve Barstow’s reputation and encourage younger residents to stay in the community. When asked about programs and activities that could be improved, participants mentioned housing, medical care, childcare/daycare, schools, homeless services, parks/sport and recreational amenities, entertainment (such as bowling alleys, skating rinks, etc.), shopping, and restaurants.
After wrapping up the smaller workshops in early April, BNSF co-hosted a larger community meeting at Barstow Community College on April 26 that drew more than 300 attendees to learn more about the project and what it will mean for the city and the region. BNSF looks forward to continuing the dialogue with the Barstow community as the planning for this transformative project moves ahead.
October 2022
BNSF Railway announces plans to build the Barstow International Gateway Project—a-first-of-its-kind integrated rail facility in Southern California.
