Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center expansion project begins

Yesterday, city of Rochelle and Illinois transportation officials joined business and industry representatives to mark the start of a multimillion-dollar expansion project at the Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center (RITC).

The RITC is located at the intersection of Interstate highways 88 and 39 and near BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Road lines. Served by the Burlington Junction Railway (BJRY), the RITC provides a location where industries of all sizes can access direct rail services, city officials said in a press release.

Opened in 2020 as a joint effort between the city and Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corp., the facility transloaded 1,000 rail cars and serves as a staging area for hundreds of shipping containers used by a dozen customers. Increased demand for rail-to-truck transloading and third-party logistics services in the Rochelle area required the RITC's expansion, city officials said.

The Illinois Department of Transportation's freight-rail program is providing $4.8 million in funding for the project, according to a WIFR.com news report. 

"We continue to be excited about future growth in Rochelle, and how we can benefit the community and companies," said Peter Hoth, principal-corporate development at BJRY, in the press release. "Our customers and Class I railroad partners are essential to that growth."