Wedoany.com Report on Mar 16th, BNSF Railway officials and the city of Gunter, Texas, jointly held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 12 for the new "North Dallas Logistics Center." Located in Gunter, approximately an hour's drive north of Dallas and 30 minutes from Frisco, the center is planned as a 944-acre, multi-customer, multi-commodity industrial park. BNSF stated that the logistics center, situated near State Highway 289, will offer direct rail service, supporting economic expansion in North Texas and enhancing supply chain connectivity.
BNSF officials emphasized that this logistics center can provide customers with increased market efficiency, saving approximately 9 to 12 months in development timelines. Currently, the company is collaborating with local officials on subsequent zoning and planning matters. The first phase of the project is expected to take about 19 months to complete, with a total investment of approximately $500 million. Scott Bates, BNSF's Assistant Vice President of Economic Development and Real Estate, stated, "Gunter is located in one of America's fastest-growing corridors, and this new logistics center will help our customers capitalize on this growth opportunity."
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Gunter Mayor Karen Sauser reflected on the project's journey: "This groundbreaking represents something more significant than just turning dirt. It represents what can be achieved when we honor our commitments and work together through a process." She added that reaching this point required difficult conversations, meaningful collaboration, and a commitment from all parties to protect the community while creating opportunities.
The project involved about four years of preparation. BNSF initially announced plans in mid-2023 but withdrew its preliminary application due to community opposition. An agreement was later reached with the city in 2025, adding a 500- to 800-foot buffer zone and restrictions on lighting and noise. Bates noted that rail transportation offers environmental and infrastructure advantages and is expected to create over 6,000 jobs locally, with a long-term economic impact exceeding $1 billion. The BNSF Foundation has committed approximately $100,000 this year to community projects such as the Gunter Library and Museum. Rail operations are expected to begin in about a year.
