MERCED, Calif. — The Merced County Board of Supervisors has approved an agreement with Patriot Rail to develop a “rail district” at the Castle Commerce Center, a 1,912-acre freight transportation hub including an airport with 11,800 feet of runway, as well as rail and road access.
The location in California’s Central Valley is approximately 125 miles southeast of San Francisco and 275 miles northwest of Los Angeles
The center is served by BNSF Railway. As part of the agreement, Patriot Rail will develop additional infrastructure to enhance rail service in the southeast portion of the facility. Patriot Rail has signed a 20-year lease for 6,500 feet of track and related property, and anticipates an initial investment of $1.2 million to increase rail capacity and improve fluidity for shippers.
“Patriot Rail is pleased to advance and help drive Merced County’s vision of economic growth,” Patriot Rail CEO John E. Fenton said in a press release. “We are committed to providing service and safety excellence as a premier rail solutions provider, and to partnering with Merced County customers to ensure exciting new competitive options for shipment by rail to build business and grow jobs.”
Lloyd Pareira, chairman of the board of supervisors, said the agreement “is the culmination of years of market analysis and strategic planning. … We’re on the front end of additional job creation and economic development.”
