{Source: MontgomeryChamber.com}
Lara Wilson
MONTGOMERY, Ala., January 31, 2022 – The Alabama Port Authority approved a land deal in Montgomery County to construct an inland container intermodal transfer facility (ICTF). The $2M purchase of 272 acres will extend intermodal rail service from the Port Authority’s container intermodal terminal at the Port of Mobile in support of Montgomery regional growth in manufacturing, retail, distribution, and agribusiness sectors. Once complete the project will generate 2,618 direct and indirect jobs, $340 million in business revenues and over $14.2 million in state and local taxes.
“The purchase of land to construct an inland container intermodal transfer facility in Montgomery is a big step for this great economic development project for the Capital City,” said Chamber of Commerce Chairman Cedric Campbell. “Since we are centrally located in the Southeastern US, Montgomery is an ideal logistics hub due to its proximity to the Port of Mobile and direct railway and interstate access with I-65 and I-85 running through the region. We look forward to working with our partners at the Alabama Port Authority, CSX, and others on the continuing components of this transformational project.”
“We are proud to have Montgomery at the center of a truly transformative project that will change the trajectory of not only our state but the Southeast region,” said Mayor Steven L. Reed. This is a multi-million-dollar gateway development for Montgomery, the announcement by the Alabama State Port Authority is a result of many years of work, planning and partnership with the Port, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, CSX Transportation and others. Once complete, the inland intermodal transfer facility will drastically change our current economic development landscape and will lead to exponential growth and prosperity throughout our community.”
The Montgomery ICTF extends the container intermodal assets at the seaport to public and private investments inside Alabama. When constructed, the intermodal container transfer facility will be serviced by CSX Transportation (CSXT) Intermodal. The project reestablishes regularly scheduled CSXT Intermodal rail service at the Port of Mobile and provides a foundation to expand intermodal services further inland to support CSXT customers. CSXT will contribute up to $12.5 million toward infrastructure improvements in the facility.
Phase I of the facility is estimated at $54 million and could take up to two years to construct. The project connects inland local shippers to the seaport’s intermodal container transfer facility at Mobile, which is located adjacent to the marine terminal and is accessible to five national Class 1 railroads.
“The Alabama Port Authority’s major investment shows that Montgomery is on the map and an essential part of logistics solutions within the Southeast,” said Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean. “This new logistics hub will not only transform the needs of regional shippers, it will also serve our local partners who invest millions of dollars into the local economy.”
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Montgomery, Alabama USA fosters a business-friendly environment and understands that a healthy mix of large and small businesses constitutes the lifeblood of the city and region. A long history of trusted public-private partnership between the city, county, state, and local business leadership creates an inviting business ecosystem. Montgomery is built on a dynamic history rooted in revolution as the center of both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. On the forefront of cutting-edge development, Montgomery is attracting new businesses with its open internet exchange and opportunities for business growth, and new residents are coming for the city’s work culture, transportation options and quality of life, including a revitalization of unique spaces in historic downtown with new attractions and diverse entertainment options.