By Justin Franz

POCATELLO, Idaho — Union Pacific is working with global supply chain company Savage to build Idaho’s first intermodal rail terminal in Pocatello. The facility will be located at the Pocatello yard on UP’s main line to the Pacific Northwest. 

The facility, called Savage Railport – Southern Idaho, will primarily serve farmers exporting hay and other agricultural products to Asia. The terminal is expected to be up and running by mid-2021.

“Idaho’s agricultural and business communities need dependable transportation to get products into global markets,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little. “Transportation infrastructure projects like this rail terminal in Pocatello can create opportunities for Idaho businesses to grow and can help ​support export prospects for more agriculture producers.”

Containers will be loaded into well cars and then transported to seaports in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash. Officials note that it will be easier to ship the hay by rail versus trucks. 

“This new business is uniquely focused on Idaho shippers’ needs and the global economic impact Pacific Northwest exports have around the world,” said Kari Kirchhoefer, Union Pacific Vice President – Marketing and Sales Premium. “Union Pacific’s unique collaboration with Savage uses intermodal containers heading to the Northwest ports. This partnership makes the most of the container’s round trip and saves truck drayage costs for Idaho shippers by providing a direct rail option.”