Decatur to land new Alabama Port Authority hub

Decatur will be the site for a new intermodal container transfer facility — a partnership between the Alabama Port Authority and CSX — providing rail connectivity from the Gulf Coast to North Alabama.

The facility will be redeveloped from a portion of an existing CSX facility in Decatur.

Alabama Port Authority rail hub in Decatur

Here’s what we know about this new Alabama Port Authority hub:

• The new facility will be built at the CSX railyard at 201 Sixth St. S.E.
• The facility is slated to complete rail connectivity from the ICTF at the Port of Mobile to customers in the central and northern parts of the state.
• A similar project in Montgomery (to be completed in 2025) has prompted more than $2.28 billion in capital projects in the region.
• A feasibility study for a new bridge for the project is expected to be presented to the City Council this month.

“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. 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.”

John Driscoll, Director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority

The new hub will significantly help CSX in Alabama as well.

“The [Decatur] facility’s strategic location improves multimodal flexibility throughout the state and creates sustainable, dynamic, rail-to-truck transportation solutions for our customers.”

Maryclare Kenney, CSX vice president of intermodal and auto

Alabama ports are growing

The Decatur facility is among a number of port projects set to begin operation within the next two years, according to the Alabama Port Authority.

The Port of Mobile was recently listed by Forbes magazine as the 2nd fastest growing port in the country. The rail-served inland facilities are also expected to curtail truck traffic on Interstate 65 while bringing new transport options to Montgomery and Decatur, according to an Alabama Port Authority news release.

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