Twin Cities Intermodal Facility

To establish an intermodal business sector in the Twin Cities area Union Pacific constructed a pop-up intermodal facility near downtown Minneapolis by converting an existing manifest yard into a small intermodal facility with limited improvements to accommodate an intermodal business sector within the existing manifest yard. Union Pacific invested in a multi-year capital funding plan for improvements to a full intermodal terminal facility to serve the Twin Cities area.

Benesch provided construction management support for the facility improvements including grading and drainage improvements to accommodate additional unloading track capacity converting the existing dirt container lot into a paved container yard with drainage and electrical improvement to include high mast lighting. The project included construction on dedicated inbound/outbound lanes along with new canopies to process truck traffic into and out of the facility and facility security. Additional planned improvements include a new driveway entrance, yard air, chassis lot and road improvement to include fueling and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. Benesch’s primary role was to monitor the contractor’s compliance with the plans and specifications for the project as well as UPRR general specifications.

In addition to our primary CM responsibility, Benesch coordinated with the terminal and contractor to maintain intermodal operations of the facility during construction. This required the CM team to work closely with contractors and terminal managers to develop and implement a comprehensive phasing plan to accomplish the work prior to the end of the construction season for this area. Benesch turned the entire facility over to operations just in time for peak season for intermodal business.