The Alabama Port Authority announced a new intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) will be built in the northern part of the state, its latest port on the inland rail expansion.
The ICTF will be located in Decatur, AL, officials said, and is being built in partnership with CSX Transportation. When completed, it will finish the rail connectivity from the ICT at the Port of Mobile to customers in the central and northern parts of the state. The Port will redevelop a part of an existing CSX facility, expediting its ability to reach North Alabama customers, officials said.
“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,” Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John Driscoll said. “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.”
The North Alabama ICTF comes on the heels of an announcement last week that the Port Authority had a nearly $100 billion statewide economic impact in 2022. The Port Authority said its expansion with CSX in Montgomery also resulted in $2.28 billion in private investments in the Montgomery area since the Montgomery ICTF project began in 2022. The Alabama Port Authority has been named by Forbes as the second-fastest growing port of entry into the U.S.
“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,” Maryclare Kenney, CSX Vice President of Intermodal & Auto, said. “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.”