Wittmann Residents Oppose BNSF’s $3.2B Rail Facility Project

Wittmann, a quaint Arizona town, is facing a potential transformation that has left its residents on edge. What was once a peaceful setting where neighbors greeted each other from their porches, could soon become the site of a massive rail facility project proposed by BNSF Railway, one of the largest railroad companies in the U.S.

The project, named Logistics Park Phoenix, is a $3.2 billion endeavor to construct a 4,320-acre rail facility. Since its announcement in 2024, it has met considerable opposition from Wittmann’s 600 residents who fear the project will disrupt their way of life. Laura Deaver, a local resident, voiced her concerns stating, “This is the safest, most intimate community you could find. Now imagine 15,000 semis coming off of that road you just drove in on.”

A significant setback for the project came when the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors met on November 5, 2025. They witnessed a robust turnout of Wittmann residents opposing an amendment that would allow BNSF to develop part of the land. Originally, BNSF acquired land along Grand Avenue near Wittmann in 2004 and expanded it to about 4,300 acres by 2022 due to growing freight demand.

Due to a mapping error during Maricopa County’s 2023 White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan update, 840 acres were mistakenly reclassified. BNSF hopes to correct this with a rezoning amendment, but the board sided with residents, who remain wary.

Voicing skepticism over BNSF’s environmental track record, many residents reflected on incidents such as a 2024 federal ruling where the company was ordered to pay $400 million to the Swinomish tribe for trespassing and carrying crude oil across tribal land. Concerns were also raised about a lawsuit over plastic pollution in coastal areas.

Kirby Anderson, a resident, acknowledged the need for development but criticized its proposed location. “Another location may suit all stakeholders better, which BNSF should investigate harder,” Anderson noted, highlighting the lack of planning in the current proposal.

Despite the opposition, BNSF maintains that the project will create around 76,000 jobs and bolster the region’s logistics capabilities. BNSF legal representative Susan Demmitt emphasized, “Over time, the population of the region has continued to grow, and with it, the need for expanded transportation and supply-chain infrastructure.”

While three labor union representatives advocated for the potential economic benefits, the community remained largely unconvinced. Residents like Robin Jones and her daughter Kyrie voiced their concerns, with Kyrie expressing, “Dear Board of Supervisors, I don’t like the railroad because I won’t get enough sleep at night.”

In the face of potential changes, the community, backed by support from local entities including Sen. Janae Shamp and various local organizations, continues to fight for the preservation of their town. The board’s decision to side with residents may be a temporary victory, but the future remains uncertain as BNSF considers its next steps.

This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.