Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rail Transload Spur topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDA weighs feasibility of rail transload spur after firms cite $8M–$20M build range
Summary
The Dayton EDA discussed whether the city should pursue a transload (truck-to-rail) facility after BNSF-supplied figures estimated an $8 million–$20 million build cost and staff said a feasibility study would cost roughly $10,000–$30,000. Members directed staff to contact potential users and use BNSF’s customer-question list to gauge demand before funding further study.
The Dayton Economic Development Authority spent a significant portion of its October meeting discussing the potential for a rail transload facility that would allow local companies to move freight by rail rather than solely by truck.
Board members and staff said the first step is to determine whether there is sufficient local and regional demand to justify a formal feasibility study. "BNSF gave a wide range—8 to 20 million dollars—to build a facility," a staff member told the board during the meeting, adding that a preliminary feasibility study might cost in the low tens of thousands.
Why it matters: proponents argued a successful transload facility could reduce trucking costs and road impacts for heavy industrial customers, potentially offering substantial per-shipment savings. One board member summarized a local operator’s assessment that rail could decrease per-shipment costs to roughly 30–40 cents on the dollar versus trucking in some scenarios, though participants said final savings depend on frequency and volume.
What was discussed: staff explained that the cost range depends on the number of cranes, length of spur, site improvements and throughput. Members named possible users (including the concrete and trucking firms previously mentioned in earlier meetings) and said they would ask BNSF for the standardized customer-question list so outreach calls use consistent criteria. The board agreed to contact named local firms and other regional prospects to see whether enough consistent demand exists to move to a paid feasibility study.
Next steps: rather than approving funding for a study at this meeting, the EDA directed staff and volunteers to gather user interest and return with a summary. If outreach shows credible demand, the board said it may consider funding or sponsoring a feasibility study in a future agenda cycle.
