BNSF Barstow International Gateway

added: January 18, 2023 / updated: May 14, 2023 (BIG-008 to 019)
updated: October 9, 2023 (BIG-020 to 028)
updated: January 31, 2024 (BIG-029)

our photographers: MF = Marc Fournier, GGG = Gary Gray, JL = Jorge

(some photos are available in bigger size. You may click on the photo number)

updated: January 9, 2023

A) BNSF "BIG" Barstow International Gateway Facility Project

Two new & large projects have been announced in the Barstow area. Both will affect the BNSF Cajon Subdivision.
GGG & MF

BIG-001 - Preliminary conceptual rendering of Barstow International Gateway. BNSF illustration.
A huge new BNSF classification yard will be built RR West of the current yard. The new yard's direct & indirect employment will NEARLY double the population of Barstow, according to the BNSF. Of course, truck & auto traffic will also double.

BIG-002 - BNSF illustration
Barstow, Calif., a major hub on the BNSF Southern Transcon in San Bernardino County where the Needles, Mojave and Cajon subdivisions come together, and the location of Barstow Yard, will be the site of Barstow International Gateway, a $1.5 billion investment described as a “state-of-the-art master-planned integrated rail facility, and the first being developed by a Class I railroad.”
Barstow International Gateway (BIG) will indeed be big - huge, actually - 4,500 acres, roughly 7.5 times the size of 600-acre Barstow Yard. Located on the west side of Barstow along the Cajon Subdivision, it will consist of a rail yard, intermodal facility and warehouses for transloading freight from international containers to domestic containers.

BIG-003 - OpenRailwayMap.org - BNSF provided Railway Age with these details
BIG “will allow the direct transfer of containers from ships at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to intermodal trains for transport through the Alameda Corridor onto the BNSF main line up to Barstow,” BNSF noted. “Once the containers reach BIG, they will be processed at the facility using clean-energy-powered cargo-handling equipment, and then staged and built into trains moving east via BNSF’s network across the nation. Westbound freight will similarly be processed at the facility to bring trains more efficiently to the ports and other California terminals.”
The Barstow International Gateway, BNSF added, “will create 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, and reduce port and highway congestion around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.” It “will not replace or become an extension of our existing Barstow Yard,” BNSF spokesperson Lena Kent told Railway Age. “BNSF is developing this facility as a private investment. It is not a P3.”
The construction schedule and opening date have not been determined.

BIG-004 - BNSF California Map - BNSF Illustration

Barstow First Avenue Bridge over BNSF replacement

Skanska contracted to Rebuild North 1st Avenue Bridge in Barstow. Skanska, BTW, is building the new bridge over the BNSF TRANSCON here in Victorville -- the bridge we've been documenting: click here

1/18/23: BARSTOW, CA –– Today, Skanska announced their $30 million contract with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to break ground on the new North 1^st Avenue Bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railyard in the City of Barstow, CA.

The existing two-lane bridge, built around 1930, will be replaced with a new two-lane bridge, including standard eight-foot shoulder widths and an eight-foot sidewalk. The replacement of the structure will provide safety benefits and accommodate all legal truck and permit vehicles. This bridge serves as the main connector for schools, neighborhoods, hospitals, and other services in the City of Barstow, and these necessary safety improvements will continue to make positive changes to the city’s infrastructure.

Mike Aparicio, executive vice president of Skanska USA Civil’s West Coast operations said, “We look forward to working with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and its many other transportation partners, to replace Barstow’s North 1^st Avenue Bridge. The current structure was built over 90 years ago, and this project will provide a modern, safe, and accessible structure. We are proud to be the team chosen in this first big step toward building a new structural and functional standard needed as the city continues to grow.”

Work includes:
- Construction of new 7-span post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge over 17 BNSF tracks.
- Realignment of North 1^st Avenue.
- Demolition of the existing 29-span steel truss and steel / timber girder bridge across the BNSF railyard.
- Utility relocation, drainage improvements and lighting improvements.

The project is expected to begin in January 2023, and completion is anticipated in 2024.

new 5/11/23: Barstow First Avenue Bridge over BNSF replacement - Part 5
BIG is still in the planning & permitting processes however replacement of the Barstow 1st Street Bridge is well underway. So friends Marc, Jorge & I embarked on a 40 mile trek to check the progress of the construction. The importance of this construction lies in the fact that both bridges, new & old, do & will cross several yard tracks, and most importantly, the BNSF Trans-Con mainline. It has been stated that any mainline closure, due to this construction, could cost the City of Barstow several thousand dollars per closure hour - in fines.
# BIG-008 & # 009: The BEAUTIFUL CASA DEL DISIERTO & its Historic Landmark Plaque. No longer a Harvey House, the structure now houses The Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, The Western America Railroad Museum, The Route 66 'Mother Road' Museum, and The NASA Goldstone Deep SPACE Visitors Center. AMTRAK #3 & #4 stop at this Depot daily. The historical Harvey House has also become a venue for weddings, banquets and other formal gatherings. Note that the plaque was donated and placed by several Museums, Government Agencies and E CLAMPUS VITUS. For a GOOD GIGGLE, Google E Clampus Vitus. While they do some really good Historical preservation work, their methods and antics can best be described as 'interesting'.
The Clampers: A historical drinking society or a drinking historical society? - Los Angeles Times

BIG-008 - (see above)	BIG-009 - (see above)

BIG-010 - A wide shot of the existing FIRST STREET IRON Bridge. The new bridge will be built on the other (West) side.	BIG-011 - Three views of the numerous WOODEN repairs & reinforcements, applied to keep the old iron bridge somewhat stable.

BIG-012 - Three views of the numerous WOODEN repairs & reinforcements, applied to keep the old iron bridge somewhat stable.	BIG-013 - Three views of the numerous WOODEN repairs & reinforcements, applied to keep the old iron bridge somewhat stable.

BIG-014 - The Northern abutment of the new bridge and other construction equipment.	BIG-015 - The Northern abutment of the new bridge and other construction equipment.
It should be noted that Skanska International, who built the bridge across the BNSF in Victorville (our last photographic project) also won this Barstow contract. So, much of the construction equipment and many of the building techniques will be familiar to our readers.

BIG-016 - The Northern abutment of the new bridge and other construction equipment.	BIG-017 - In our Barstow ninety minutes, these two SD-40-2 switchers were the only moving pieces of RR equipment we saw.

BIG-018 - The street word is that, back in the steam days, these OLD houses were built for away from home - laying over Railroaders??? It appears that these homes are being rebuilt and will become DREAM HOMES for some REAL RAILFANS???	BIG-019 - As most know, I've spent most of my adult years working in and Commanding Military Dental Clinics & Hospitals. STILL, every time I think I've see it all --- some situation, like the below, erupts to correct my thinking.
I was sitting, alone, over on the track side of the Barstow Harvey House while Marc & Jorge were exploring the building. So I start hearing this loud, but unintelligible argument --- and this Brain Fried zombie shows-up, violently arguing with those voices in his head. We spot each other & thankfully, he turns & disappears. If ever there was a POSTER CHILD for ANTI-homelessness / mental illness / drug abuse, this poor creature was it. As we drove off, there he was - soiled pants & all - with his meager belongings strewn about on his little island. He DID have a nice looking & (probably) freshly stolen shopping cart but was not really enthusiastic about having his picture taken. Gary, Marc & Jorge

new 10/07/23: Barstow First Avenue Bridge over BNSF replacement - Part 7

Jorge Lopez & I made plans, last week, to drive to Barstow to see how the new N. Main Street bridge construction was progressing. We also wanted to see if there had been any movement on the NEW Railroad YARD---The Barstow International Gateway (BIG). On the eve of our trip, while scanning our local VICTOR VALLEY DAILY PRESS newspaper, I noticed an article with all the updates & pictures we wanted. Actually, the Daily Press photographer did very well by gaining access to positions unavailable to us & POSSIBLY? using a drone.

We found no evidence of construction beginning at the new yard site.

Again, the existing Barstow N. Main St. bridge, which eventually must be removed & its replacement both cross several yard tracks and, most importantly, the BNSF TRANSCONTINENTAL MAINLINE - which cannot be interrupted. GGG & JL

VICTOR VALLEY DAILY PRESS
Construction continues on North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow

Article copyright by Victor Valley Daily Press

Construction crews on the North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow recently completed the bottom surface structure of the new bridge, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority officials said. In September, nearly a dozen Robertson’s cement trunks were lined up near the bridge as mobile boom concrete pumps received the concrete and delivered it via hoses to crews high atop the bridge. The concrete was then poured throughout the installed rebar.

The county’s transportation authority, in cooperation with the City of Barstow and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, is leading the construction effort to build the new bridge.

In October, crews will continue to install steel beams and pour concrete for the new bridge. They will also continue constructing retaining walls and drainage systems throughout the project corridor, transportation authority officials said.

The new bridge will be approximately 1,179 feet long with a width of 50 feet that will expand to over 62 feet to accommodate a left turn lane leading to the new bridge.

BIG-020:Photo copyright by Robert Hall

To accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, a wider sidewalk with 8-foot shoulders will also be built.

Bridge construction is expected to cost roughly $85 million and is expected to be completed by fall 2024, transportation authority officials stated. Funding will come from both federal and local sources, said county and city officials, who held a groundbreaking ceremony in January.

Preparing for the future

The new bridge will replace the existing two-lane steel and wood North First Avenue Bridge, which was built around 1930 and modified in 1943. The old bridge serves as a critical access point to Barstow's northern region as it runs directly above a massive BNSF Railway intermodal yard.

The construction of the new bridge may benefit those traveling to and from BNSF’s $1.5 billion master-planned rail hub known as the Barstow International Gateway.

BIG-021: Photo copyright by Bryan Hartwick

Structurally deficient

During the Bridge Inspection Report prepared by Caltrans in April 2012, the bridge sufficiency rating was three out of 100. The existing bridge is considered structurally deficient in its superstructure, substructure, and overall structural evaluation. The old bridge is also considered functionally obsolete due to its overall geometry and substandard vertical clearance, Caltrans said.

BIG-022: Photo copyright by Bryan Hartwick

The project

The bridge project includes the construction of new approach roadways, a new two-lane structure, and the demolition of the old structure once the new facility has been opened to traffic.

A group of residents have shared their desire to convert the old bridge to a pedestrian-only structure for walking purposes. Some history buffs want it preserved as a relic built more than a decade before Barstow itself was incorporated as a city.

The new bridge will enhance traffic safety, improve Americans with Disabilities Act access, enhance pedestrian walkways, and re-establish a safety connection between the two parts of Barstow – the residential north portion and the downtown business district, according to transportation authority officials.

Three projects

The new bridge will be the first of three bridge projects, as well as one of several infrastructure changes that will take place as Barstow prepares for the BNSF project. The other bridge structures include one over the Mojave River and one over the river’s overflow area. Both are expected to be built within two to three years.

new 10/05/23: Barstow First Avenue Bridge over BNSF replacement - Part 8
While visiting the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) & the N. 1st Ave Bridge projects last week, Jorge & I took a few of the old/new Bridge abutments and supporting structures. We also took a few of some of the outdoor displays of the Western America Railroad Museum (WARM) which is housed in the renovated Barstow Harvey House. GGG & JL

GGG - BIG-023: EB BNSF 7996 & a sister wait for a "monster" train (note the mid train DPU's) to clear the EB Main through the Barstow Yard.	JL - BIG-024: The NEW bridge frames the "temporary emergency supports" of the old bridge.

GGG - BIG-025: while this picture shows more of the temporary "fixes".	JL - BIG-026: The ATSF BEEP #1460 at WARM Beep (locomotive) - Wikipedia

JL - BIG-027: Two pictures of ATSF #95 & UP #9150 EMD FP45 - Wikipedia	JL - BIG-028: Two pictures of ATSF #95 & UP #9150 EMD FP45 - Wikipedia

History of Hill 582 photos - click here	Ranchero Road Project - click here	Colton Flyover Project - click here
Highway 138 East Project - click here	Mojave River Bridges - click here	Green Tree Blvd. Project - click here

Cajon Pass 3rd Main Track Construction by BNSF in 2007 and 2008 BNSF was building a 3rd Main Track thru Cajon Pass. It was built along the # 1 (north) track (2,2 % grade). The only 2 tunnels in Cajon have been daylighted. This one of a time project was completed on November 07, 2008.
	3rd Main Track Project by BNSF 2007/2008 outstanding coverage on 9 Albums Photos by Don E. Toles, Gary G. Gray and Marc Fournier taken from 6/22/07 to 12/24/08
DET 8/24/07 Summit Curve - 061	See all 9 pages with 896 photos - click here	DET 10/25/07 T-2 EP w/BNSF EB train - 197