Corwith (Chicago), IL Railyards

Overview of the Intermodal Railyards

Corwith Intermodal Facility, operated by BNSF Railway, spans nearly a square mile at Pershing Road and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago’s Brighton Park. Originally built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1888, it now serves as a major intermodal terminal connecting BNSF’s transcontinental routes with regional and national distribution networks.

The facility features advanced intermodal transfer systems, including high-capacity container cranes and automated sorting technologies. Corwith enables seamless transfer between rail and truck, supporting efficient movement of containerized freight across North America.

Market Size and Economic Impact

Corwith processes approximately 1,900 containers per day, making it one of the busiest intermodal terminals in the Midwest. Chicago’s rail sector supports over 11,700 freight rail jobs statewide, with the region handling more than 335 million tons of inbound rail freight annually. The economic impact of Chicago’s rail network exceeds $7 billion per year, underpinning thousands of logistics and manufacturing jobs.

Competitive Landscape

• BNSF Railway: Operates Corwith as its primary Chicago intermodal hub, linking West Coast ports to Midwest and Eastern markets
• Union Pacific: Competes with BNSF via nearby Global intermodal terminals, offering parallel transcontinental service
• CSX & Norfolk Southern: Access Chicago through other major yards, providing eastern U.S. connectivity and interline options

Opportunities

• E-commerce Surge: Growth in online retail drives demand for high-frequency intermodal shipments and last-mile logistics
• Midwest Distribution: Central location attracts new warehouses and distribution centers seeking rapid rail-truck connectivity
• Infrastructure Modernization: Ongoing investments in automation and digital tracking enhance throughput and reliability

Challenges

• Congestion: High train and truck volumes create bottlenecks and increase dwell times during peak periods
• Urban Constraints: Dense urban setting limits physical expansion and complicates access for large trucks and equipment
• Aging Infrastructure: Legacy track and yard assets require ongoing upgrades to maintain efficiency and safety

Trade and Logistics Trends

• Intermodal Expansion: Steady growth in containerized freight volumes from West Coast and Gulf ports
• Regional Warehousing: Increased demand for rail-served distribution centers in the Chicago metro area
• Supply Chain Resilience: Shippers diversify routes and modes to mitigate disruptions and improve reliability

Future Outlook

• Capacity Upgrades: BNSF plans additional track, crane, and gate expansions to accommodate rising container volumes
• Automation Initiatives: Deployment of AI-driven yard management and automated equipment to boost efficiency
• Sustainability Programs: Investments in cleaner locomotives and energy-efficient operations to reduce environmental impact

Recommendations

• Terminal Expansion: Accelerate yard and gate capacity projects to relieve congestion and support future growth
• Technology Integration: Expand use of AI and digital platforms for real-time tracking and predictive maintenance
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with local stakeholders to address noise, traffic, and environmental concerns