City of Le Mars, IA Expands Transload Center

LE MARS, Iowa, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This Thursday, October 29, 10:00 AM at the City of Le Mars Industrial Park, representatives from the City of Le Mars, along with Iowa transportation officials, local economic partners, railroad, and trucking industries, will celebrate+ the expansion of the Le Mars Transload Center (LMTC) owned and operated by the Burlington Junction Railway (BJRY). The celebration will be held at the LMTC located at 1618 27th St. SW, Le Mars, Iowa.

Located within the City of Le Mars Industrial Park, adjacent to the Canadian National Railway and U.S. Highway 75, the expanded LMTC provides a location where new and expanding industries of all sizes can access direct rail services, whether or not they have rail at their company location, bringing new jobs and incremental tac revenue to the city of Le Mars. The expansion was funded in part by a 0% interest loan from the Iowa Department of Transportation Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program (RRLG).

Opened in 2015 as a joint effort between the City of Le Mars, BJRY and the Canadian National Railway, the transload facility and surrounding industrial park manage nearly 2,000 railcars per year. Increased demand for rail-to-truck transloading and third-party logistics services in the Le Mars area are requiring expansion of LMTC.

Area representatives agree that this expansion will be an asset to the LeMars community:

"Today's expansion of the Le Mars Transload Center is a testament to our city's commitment to economic growth and regional connectivity," explains Le Mars Mayor Rob Bixenman "We are proud to be a hub where industries of all sizes can thrive. This project reflects our continued investment in the future of Le Mars as a critical logistics and transportation center in the Midwest." 

"Investing in Iowa infrastructure can unlock opportunities for both local businesses and global supply chains," says Iowa Department of Transportation Director Scott Marler. "We are excited to see this project in Le Mars come to life, and we remain focused on making lives better through transportation by enabling businesses to move goods efficiently and reliably throughout Iowa. The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to partner with the community and the railway on this effort."

"CN is proud to partner with Burlington Junction Railway and the City of Le Mars to support economic growth in Iowa. By connecting local businesses to CN's extensive North American rail network, this expansion will create new opportunities for industries of all sizes, strengthen supply chains, and help Iowa businesses reach new markets. Together, we are investing in infrastructure that supports long-term growth and economic development across the region," says Sandra Ellis, Vice-President, Bulk & Business Development, CN.

"We continue to be excited about future growth in Le Mars, IA and how we can provide opportunities for the community and its companies," explains Peter Hoth, President and CEO, BJRY. "Our customers and Class I railroad partners are essential to that growth. We are dedicated to continuing providing our 'white glove' rail switching services to our customers and transload partners in Le Mars."

About the City of Le Mars
Le Mars, Iowa is known as "The Ice Cream Capital of the World." Officially designated as such in 1994, Le Mars has been the home to Wells Enterprises Inc., makers of Blue Bunny® brand ice cream and dairy products since the company's founding by Fred H. Wells, Jr., in 1913. Today more ice cream is produced in Le Mars, Iowa, by a single company than in any other city in the world.

Located in the northwest corner of Iowa, Le Mars is a progressive and aggressive city committed to an improved quality of life and a prosperous climate for economic development. With a population of 10,571 as of the 2020 census, Le Mars harbors a spirit of excellence and harmony that is prominent in the growth of businesses and industries that market products and services throughout the nation and abroad.

About IDOT
For more than a century, the Iowa Department of Transportation and predecessor agencies have promoted the growth and betterment of Iowa's transportation system. Headquartered in Ames, the agency continues to serve the transportation needs of Iowa and its citizens. The RRLG provides financial assistance to improve rail facilities that will create jobs, spur economic activity, and improve the rail transportation system in Iowa

About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.

About BJRY
Based in Burlington, IA, the Burlington Junction Railway has been in operation since 1985 providing flexible and reliable shipping and receiving services by rail. It manages a wide variety of commodities such as wallboard, lumber, bulk liquids, dry bulk, machinery, steel rebar, specialty oversize shipments, and more. Its specialty services include switching, transloading, and locomotive servicing.

SOURCE City of Le Mars