St. Louis region's pipeline of rail-served sites expands by 300 acres

More than 300 acres across four properties owned by Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) in southwestern Illinois have been added to a pipeline of rail-accessible industrial real estate sites in the region.

The sites are Madison Yard Farm Field in Venice; Wiggins Industrial Lead and Wiggins 5, both in East St. Louis; and Wiggins 2 Yard, which encompasses land in both Brooklyn and East St. Louis. The additional four sites bring the total number of rail-served sites in the pipeline to 26, spread across 20 locations, according to a press release issued by Bi-State Development, parent of TRRA.

The new sites feature heavy industrial user zoning ready for developments that would connect to all six Class Is via TRRA. Madison Yard Farm Field in Venice is the largest of the four, encompassing 140 acres. At 80 acres, the Wiggins 2 Yard encompasses portions of both Brooklyn and East St. Louis, Illinois, while Wiggins 5 in East St. Louis is a 56-acre site that also has an additional 20 acres available for sale. Wiggins Industrial Lead in East St. Louis encompasses the final 45 acres.

“Rail distribution continues to grow in importance, and the St. Louis region is already recognized as one of the largest rail hubs in the nation,” said Brent Wood, president of TRRA. “Rail service and infrastructure in the St. Louis region are constantly improving, thanks to the commitment of public and private leaders who are collaborating to identify priority projects and advocate for funding for them.”

Recent investments include the $222 million replacement of the Merchant’s Bridge over the Mississippi River just north of downtown St. Louis; more than $10 million for track signal and switch improvements made at the junction of five of the region’s railroads in Mitchell, Illinois; and an estimated $75 million in improvements underway for the MacArthur Bridge, which crosses the Mississippi River south of downtown St. Louis.

A series of projects at St. Louis area ports will enhance rail infrastructure and help increase the integration of barge to rail connectivity, Bi-State officials said.