Alabama Port Authority, CSX to Launch Decatur Rail Facility

“We are excited to announce the [Decatur] 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 Feb. 7. (Alabama Port Authority Photograph)

The Alabama Port Authority and CSX on Feb. 7 reported partnering to establish a North Alabama intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) in Decatur.

The facility—to be redeveloped from a portion of an existing CSX 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, according to Alabama Port Authority. The Port of Mobile is located in the northern Gulf of Mexico and offers access to an international airport and two interstate systems, I-65 running north/south and I-10 running east/west; as well as to five Class I railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CN and BNSF) and to three short lines (Alabama & Gulf Coast, CG Railway and Alabama Export Railroad), in addition to its own terminal railroad, TASD.

The North Alabama ICTF marks the next step in the Port Authority’s inland rail expansion, following an earlier inland rail partnership with CSX in Montgomery. According to the Port Authority, more than $2.28 billion in private investments have been announced in the area since the Montgomery ICTF project began in 2022. It is set to begin operation within the next two years.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to foster growth, connect markets, and propel economic progress for the region,” CSX Vice President of Intermodal and Auto Maryclare Kenney 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.”

“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 John Driscoll, Director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority, which serves all 67 counties in the state and oversees the deep-water public port facilities at the Port of Mobile. “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.”