BNSF and Hobby Lobby Open New Intermodal Hub in Oklahoma City

BNSF Railway and Hobby Lobby have officially marked the opening of a new intermodal facility in Oklahoma City, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Thursday to celebrate the milestone.

The event brought together senior figures from across state and local government, including Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz and Oklahoma City mayor David Holt, alongside legislative representatives and public and private sector partners. The gathering recognised the launch of the Class I railroad’s latest logistics hub, which became operational on December 31.

Covering 42 acres, the new intermodal terminal has been developed to provide Hobby Lobby with a more efficient and cost-effective way of moving goods. The arts and crafts retailer had been seeking a streamlined solution to transport loaded containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach directly to its distribution network in Oklahoma City, reducing complexity across its supply chain.

At full capacity, the facility is expected to remove up to 40,000 truck journeys from regional highways each year, delivering emissions reductions on the corridor between Dallas–Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. Beyond its immediate role for Hobby Lobby, the site is also set to offer future opportunities for Oklahoma farmers and other businesses to export goods to the West Coast.

BNSF Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Tom Williams said:

“As the leading rail intermodal provider in North America, BNSF has a relentless passion for growth. In order to be successful, we must take advantage of growth opportunities when we see them for our customers. Expanding into Oklahoma City to offer Hobby Lobby a new, unique solution to its supply chain needs is a chance for us deliver on that promise, and we are excited to watch the success this partnership will bring.”

Hobby Lobby Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jon Cargill said:

“This is really a new day for Hobby Lobby and our city. We are now prepared to bring the items our customers want directly to Oklahoma City, allowing us to supply our stores in a more efficient manner. It also provides the same efficiency to Oklahoma’s businesses, expanding access to markets all over the world.”

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said:

“This facility will be a tremendous asset to the economic infrastructure of our city for years to come. Most of us don’t think about the logistical journey taken by the goods we purchase. There are many elements in that journey, and until now, we’ve not had, in Oklahoma City, the ability to take freight containers off a train at the end of their global journey to OKC. This will complete that infrastructure, which is good for our economy, and it will also remove trucks from our highways. Thank you to BNSF and Hobby Lobby for making it possible.”

ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz said:

“The opening of BNSF’s intermodal facility in Oklahoma City is a practical investment in Oklahoma’s economic future. With Hobby Lobby utilizing the site and future opportunities for farmers and producers to export goods to the West Coast, this project positions our state for continued growth and connectivity.”

Image: BNSF