Western Railroad Discussion > Inland Empire Intermodal Facility at West Colton Yard (CA)

Tuesday, October 19, 2021, eastward views from Sierra Ave. in Fontana looking toward the Receiving Yard at West Colton Yard now show a dark paved roadway, possibly for overflow deliveries of Intermodal trailers and containers pending final dropping off to the new Inland Empire Intermodal Facility (IEIF), or picking up.  Anybody have details?   

 
 

---

---

---

Thanks for the photos. That was a quick expansion! When I was out there 5 months ago they had just opened up about 2 weeks prior; the newer area you show had not started grading yet. Was told by workers that the lone loading track is basically used for intermodal from later in the evening to early morning, then it goes back for the regular carload/engine shuttle moves. 

It will be interesting to see how UP navigates its way through regulatory hurdles on this (mainly AQMD and neighborhood groups in Colton). Can they win the case that the transition from an existing carload operation to an intermodal operation is exempt from the new AQMD (pending) Rule 2306 "Indirect Source Rule for New Intermodal Facilities"?

Bruce 

StStephen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It will be interesting to see how UP navigates its
> way through regulatory hurdles on this (mainly
> AQMD and neighborhood groups in Colton). Can they
> win the case that the transition from an existing
> carload operation to an intermodal operation is
> exempt from the new

In was wondering myself how this got open without much prior discussion.  I also found it a little strange that nobody was up-in-arms when the project was announced.  Please note that while this facility is named "West Colton" is not really near the actual city of Colton, which is about four miles east.  Its actually in the City of Fontana in a mostly industrial/commerical area, however, there are homes nearby (they are in the unincorporated town of Bloomington).  Its possible that West Colton is already approved for an intermodal facility (it was originally proposed in the UP-SP merger application).  Finally, the pending rule for the AQMD probably won't apply to this facility as it wouldn't be a new facility when/if the rule is adapted.  Its very possible UP decided to open this intermodal facility at this time so that rule wouldn't apply to it.