Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood), IL Railyards

Overview of the Intermodal Railyards

BNSF Logistics Park Chicago is a 770-acre intermodal terminal within the 2,500-acre CenterPoint Intermodal Center–Elwood, operated by BNSF Railway and CenterPoint Properties, handling containers, consumer goods, and bulk commodities with direct Class I rail connections.

The facility features advanced intermodal transfer capabilities, including 34 overhead cranes, 79,000 feet of production track, 6,000 wheeled parking spots, and 12,500 on-site stacking positions, supporting seamless rail-to-truck and truck-to-rail operations.

Market Size and Economic Impact

Logistics Park Chicago and the adjacent CenterPoint Intermodal Center–Joliet together form a 6,400-acre logistics complex, generating over $1 billion in public and private investment, supporting more than 8,000 jobs, and ranking as the nation’s largest inland port by volume.

Competitive Landscape

• BNSF Railway: Operates the primary 770-acre intermodal terminal, handling domestic and international container traffic
• Union Pacific: Adjacent 785-acre Joliet Intermodal Terminal, providing additional Class I rail capacity and connectivity
• CenterPoint Properties: Master developer and landlord, leasing over 12 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space

Opportunities

• Midwest Distribution: Growth in e-commerce and regional distribution drives demand for intermodal and warehousing capacity
• Direct Asian Imports: Efficient rail connections to West Coast ports enable rapid movement of Asian imports to Midwest markets
• Foreign-Trade Zone: Designation attracts global shippers seeking customs advantages and supply chain optimization

Challenges

• Highway Congestion: Increased truck volumes on I-55 and local roads create bottlenecks and impact delivery schedules
• Labor Availability: Tight labor markets in warehousing and logistics challenge operational scalability
• Environmental Compliance: Air quality and emissions regulations require ongoing investment in cleaner technologies

Trade and Logistics Trends

• Intermodal Surge: Containerized freight volumes continue to rise, driven by e-commerce and global trade
• Regional Warehousing: Expansion of distribution centers supports Midwest supply chain resilience
• Cross-Border Trade: NAFTA/USMCA corridors boost rail volumes between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

Future Outlook

• Capacity Expansion: Planned investments in terminal infrastructure and warehouse space to accommodate future volume growth
• Automation Initiatives: Deployment of advanced gate systems and crane automation to improve throughput and efficiency
• Sustainability Programs: Ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and implement green building standards across new developments

Recommendations

• Intermodal Network: Enhance rail and highway connectivity to support projected freight growth and reduce congestion
• Workforce Development: Invest in training and recruitment to address labor shortages in logistics and warehousing
• Environmental Leadership: Expand adoption of clean technologies and sustainable practices to meet regulatory and community expectations