Of Concern for Sun City and the west valley

I don’t normally post these types of issues on any social media site. But this project caught my eye, as its implications for Sun City and the surrounding areas is crucial. We already feel the increased air pollution and noise here in the area. Think what a terminal hub would do. Please read and think about our way of living now and do we want or need this type of development near our community.
Thank you

OPPOSE ZONING CHANGE CPA2024006 AND CASE Z2024072"

· Visit the Facebook public group: WEST VALLEY/BNSF RAILROAD FORUM (www.facebook/groups/westvalleybnsfrailhub for updated information, commentary and notification of upcoming meetings.

Issues for your consideration:

1. BNSF has purchased 4,400 acres of public land surrounding the community of Wittmann on the north, west, and south sides. Its plan is to construct the largest InterModal Rail hub in the U.S., on 4,312 of those acres.

2. The main roadway servicing the Wittmann area is US highway 60. It runs through the entirety of the Valley of the Sun, the West Valley communities of Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, The Grand, Wittmann, Morristown, and Wickenburg.

3. Traffic concerns for impacted communities include increased congestion due to the projected additional 7,200+ vehicles per day by end of 2028 and 22,000+ vehicles per day by year 2038 in a facility operating on a 24/7 basis.

4. Ground water contamination from diesel and chemical spills is a distinct possibility. Apparently, BNSF does not have a developed plan to deal with catastrophes in the West Valley.

5. An electrical grid will need to be built to support the facility

6. Wastewater treatment facilities will need to be constructed

7. Flood control measures will need to be effected given the 18,000,000 square feet of concrete that will be poured in construction of the project. This will alter the flow of water (heading toward the Hassayampa River) during the monsoon season.

8. The Air Quality Index (pollution) in the entire Valley of the Sun will continue to degrade even more rapidly with smog generated by the additional thousands of wheeled vehicles and locomotives.

9. If built, will Wittmann become a Port of Entry for shipments from overseas? If so, this is the perfect “Trojan Horse”, and a legitimate national security issue.

10. Existing roads running throughout the entirety of the West Valley may be inadequate to facilitate an ordered MASS EVACUTION due to a HAZARDOUS MATERIAL spill. Recall the EAST PALESTINE, OHIO, incident in 2023? Additionally, blocked emergency access to nearby hospitals just off of Highway 60 may become life-threatening situations.

11. What measures will be taken to ensure crime is not an issue in this facility?

12. Dark Skies, natural vegetation and wildlife must be preserved … how is this to be done?

13. The COST CAUSER in this matter is the BNSF railroad, NOT the communities of Wittmann, Sun City West, Corte Bella, The Grand, Sun City, Surprise, El Mirage, and the rest of the Valley of the Sun (as the additional smog blows west to east). BNSF should bear the financial costs of this creation, and NOT THE TAXPAYER.

14. Lastly, it appears that Maricopa County does not require an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT in matters of zoning. In case of such gravity as this carries with it, why not? Millions of citizens will be adversely impacted by this project if it is built in Wittmann.

Stand firm with protecting the West Valley! PLEASE WRITE OR CALL THE FOLLOWING OFFICIALS:

MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

 

BNSF meets with Arizona community members over large rail hub abc15 News
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors plans to vote on the re-zoning request in August
By: Lillian Donahue
Posted 10:18 PM, May 06, 2025
WITTMANN, AZ — Dozens of residents from Wittmann and surrounding communities packed a meeting Tuesday night to hear the latest plans by BNSF Railway for a massive hub in the desert.
View full story

 

FROM SCHOA TWO WEEKS AGO:
** SCHOA IS GOING TO OPPOSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BNSF RAIL HUB
Keeping Sun City Informed: Proposed BNSF Railway Intermodal Rail Hub in the West Valley
(To read with active links, go to SCHOA’s link listed at end of this notice.)

Sun City residents may have heard about a BNSF Railway Intermodal Rail Hub proposed for construction in Wittmann, Arizona, northwest of our community. BNSF Railway operates on the train tracks that run through Sun City on Grand Avenue.

The hub is reported to be planned as the largest in the nation, and as a 'intermodal' station, would facilitate the transfer of commerce from trains to semi-trucks using local roadways/highways and railway routes to and from the region.

The Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA) Board of Directors has voted to oppose the construction of the new rail hub. As your advocate, we feel it's important that we share information about this project with our members to empower and inform you.

The following are links to information from all sides of the issue. Some may have calls to action or ask you for action, of your choice. We are not advocating for our members to take any specific action as we continue to carefully track this important issue.

RESOURCES: Details and Petition You can learn details about the project and review a petition opposed to its construction by clicking here.

West Valley/BNSF Railroad Forum Facebook Page A public Facebook account is available to learn more about this issue, just click here to join and follow.

Save Arizona Cowboy Culture View the "Save Arizona Cowboy Culture" public Facebook page and information, just click here. Both Facebook pages are public and can be read without logging in to Facebook

The Lost Cowboys Videos Episode 1 | Episode 2

BNSF FAQ's BNSF has published its own page featuring the project FAQ's here. The design image #2 is provided by BNSF.

LINK TO THIS SCHOA NOTICE: https://www.icontact-archive.com/ar...f7c91ccdfc975f1248db2d3c171ef4e642767657d7e63

 

CM, do really think that our Pension Collector, Debbie Lesko is actually going to vote against this?
BTW, diesel train engines give off less pollution than the others listed. Dad worked for the railroad for 42 years as an engineer and I spent a lot time learning about trains.

 

Diesel does give off lower emissions. The concern will be the additional traffic to and from the hub. This will act as a central element of moving items, via truck and other transport services. The estimated 7200 additional vehicles traveling in the area far exceeds what traffic loads are now, and there exists significant congestion several times a day on SR60. There exists little room to expand the tracks without using land currently used by the community.
I don’t feel our community should be boxed in because of a massive train hub. This is about a massive amount of land that will need additional track space and the ability to transport and unload large amounts of goods and services within the local area, using local resources that do not have the capacity to expand without doing additional infrastructure work to the area. What ground do we give up to expand the railway? What about residents currently close to the tracks? How will they be affected? The train noise and horns is currently loud day and night. I don’t want it expanded to be 24X7

 

I already sent in my email weeks ago. I told them I am 100% in favor of the hub.

That's why China keeps kicking our ass. People want to stop projects that provide revenue, jobs, improve our infrastructure, and make us more competitive because some people may be inconvenienced.

 

This is an interesting topic and clearly one that is polarizing communities that are affected by the placement of this rail hub. It is jobs and and clearly for the county/state, revenue. It will also create environmental issues and congestion for those in the area.

I would strongly encourage those interested attend the open forums and speak out.