New $1 million grant awarded to HMCR for bridge replacement

Railroad crossing — A change is coming to one of Huntsville’s railroads (Hville Blast)

The Huntsville Madison County Railroad authority (HMCR) has been granted $1 million to replace its railroad bridge in North Alabama. Keep reading to find out where and why this change is happening.

Details

Governor Kay Ivey approved the funding of the grant which will work on replacing the Aldridge Creek bridge in Huntsville, which is part of a short running railroad (called a shortline) that goes from Huntsville to the community of Norton, about 13.25 miles.

This replacement will reconstruct the bridge to be made of concrete instead of wood, which means safer trips and heavier loads for the 10 industries HMCR provides rail service for. Additionally as part of the upgrade, they are installing over 10,000 new ties and plan to improve the rail yard.

HMCR origin

HMCR around Ditto Landing — HMCR’s short line runs in proximity to Ditto Landing (McCarley Northway / Hville Blast)

HMCR is a nonprofit, self-funded railroad operating on track formerly used by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. It was founded in 1983 to support industrial growth in North Alabama, and will continue to serve the area’s industrial development.

Fun fact, they are the winner of the 2017 National Shortline Business Initiative Award.

“With the economic boom that Huntsville and Madison County are currently experiencing, the Huntsville & Madison County Railroad Authority figures prominently into that growth equation.”
Kenneth Boswell, Director of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)

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