The Alabama Port Authority will build a new intermodal terminal in Decatur, Ala., in a partnership with CSX.
The North Alabama Intermodal Container Transfer Facility will connect the Port of Mobile with customers in the central and northern parts of Alabama, the port authority said Thursday (Feb. 7).
The port authority will redevelop a portion of an existing CSX facility, which will expedite service to North Alabama. Decatur is about 80 miles north of Birmingham and sits 350 miles from the Port of Mobile.
The North Alabama ICTF marks the next step in the port authority’s inland rail expansion and follows the first inland rail partnership with CSX in Montgomery, Ala. More than $2.28 billion in private investments have been announced in the area since the Montgomery ICTF project began in 2022.
“We are excited to announce the location of our second inland rail facility in Alabama, furthering our dedication to advancing logistics infrastructure in the region,” said Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John Driscoll. “This expansion not only signifies our confidence in the local economy but also reflects our ongoing efforts to meet the evolving needs of our customers while contributing to the growth of the communities we serve.”
“CSX is proud to be part of the strategic collaboration with the Alabama Port Authority in establishing the North Alabama ICTF in Decatur. This project demonstrates our commitment to foster growth, connect markets, and propel economic progress for the region,” said Maryclare Kenney, CSX vice president of intermodal and auto. “The facility’s strategic location improves multi-modal flexibility throughout the state and creates sustainable, dynamic, rail-to-truck transportation solutions for our customers. The North Alabama ICTF is a testament to CSX’s focus on delivering innovative, value-added solutions for our partners and stakeholders.”
The Port of Mobile was the second-fastest growing in the U.S. last year. The port authority will nearly double its cargo handling capacity upon completing an expansion currently underway at the container terminal.
Is CSX upgrading the infrastructure on the line heading north from Mobile to handle the presumed increase in freight traffic? This is a logical route for future Amtrak service, how will CSX respond when Amtrak wants to operate over it? Same as they did NOL-Mobile, i.e. government funding for improvements?