It is anticipated that the inland container intermodal transfer facility (ICTF) will improve intermodal rail service from the Port of Mobile in order to support the expansion of regional manufacturing, retail, and distribution businesses, as well as agribusiness.
According to the Alabama Port Authority, a $2.042 million purchase of 272 acres near Montgomery, AL has been approved for the purpose of developing an inland container intermodal transfer (ICTF) facility. As a result of the project, intermodal rail service from the Port Authority’s container intermodal terminal in the Port of Mobile will be expanded, allowing for the expansion of manufacturing, retail, distribution, and agricultural in the surrounding area.
“This project will provide our shippers with cost-competitive transportation options to and from one of the nation’s fastest expanding containerized cargo gateways,” said John C. Driscoll, the director and chief executive officer of the Alabama Port Authority.
Following the completion of the ICTF at Montgomery, CSX Transportation (CSXT) Intermodal will be in charge of the operation. As a result of the project, regular CSXT Intermodal rail service to the Port of Mobile has been restored, and the framework has been laid for CSXT customers to extend intermodal services farther inland in future. CSXT will contribute up to $12.5 million toward the infrastructure improvements at the plant.
According to Tom Tisa, CSX’s head of business development, “This is yet another fantastic example of how effective connections can assist CSX clients in finding new solutions.” “These infrastructure improvements will enable us to grow our activities in the region,” says the company.
The first phase of the facility, which is estimated to cost $54 million and take two years to complete, will cost $54 million. Internal Alabama shippers will be able to access Mobile’s intermodal container transfer facility, which is close to the marine terminal and services five national Class 1 railroads, as a result of this project.
The Montgomery Intermodal Container Transportation Facility (ICTF) connects public and private investments in Alabama to the seaport’s container intermodal transportation infrastructure. In South Alabama, one such project is the shovel-ready South Alabama Mega Site, where CSX is investing $6 million in rail spur infrastructure to handle large-scale, advanced businesses. A new 650,000-square-foot Amazon inbound cross dock distribution center, as well as an expansion at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) to accommodate the addition of the Tucson and Santa Cruz, the company’s fourth and fifth models, were recently announced by economic development officials in Montgomery. The initiative will benefit both the new investors and other shippers in the surrounding area.
Gov. Kay Ivey noted that Alabama’s economy is better than it has ever been, and that the state’s Port of Mobile is experiencing record traffic. “It gives me great pleasure to see how we are working to connect areas like Montgomery with our international gateway.” ” With the advent of this CSX Transportation Intermodal facility, Alabama’s economy will be able to operate at peak performance levels. The inevitable future expansion is something I’m looking forward to.”
Upon completion, the project will have generated a total of 2,618 direct and indirect jobs, generated $340 million in corporate revenue, and generated $14.2 million in state and local taxes.