BNSF is building a development that will impact Sun City West.
They’re planning an intermodal rail and logistics center on 4,300 acres just west of us, including an 839-acre logistics park with 18 million square feet of warehouse space. These should become operational by 2028.
The traffic impact study for BNSF estimates 22,749 car and truck trips daily by 2038. In my opinion, this study did not take into account current traffic volumes in the area, which we all know far exceed the carrying capacity. Drive down the Loop 303/US 60 and you will see!
Also at issue is water. BNSF has planned on drilling wells and we don’t know how their wells will impact SCW (Epcor) or wells near their facility off 211th. The site also could impact monsoon run-off due to impermeable surfaces.
Human health, safety and well-being is at issue here, with ingress/egress roads being blocked by BNSF rail cars and truck traffic. This facility is also in close proximity to Nadaburg Elementary School in Wittmann.
Human and animal health will be impacted by air-quality hazards. The clear air you enjoy when you golf may be impacted by fumes from trains and trucks.
Safety will become an even greater issue, when the wait times at Meeker Boulevard/US 60 near our hospital increase. We have all seen the backup at the hospital stoplight become unsafe when an emergency vehicle tries to get into or out of the cross streets near the railroad. This will become unacceptable and may impact life and/or death.
Please get involved! Contact your state legislators, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and planning board to share your thoughts about this issue.
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