The Alabama Port Authority, in partnership with CSX, has officially broken ground on the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF), a major project aimed at improving freight mobility and driving economic growth across the region.
Located on a 272-acre site with direct access to Interstate 85 and U.S. Highway 31, the ICTF will have a capacity of 30,000 shipping containers, providing seamless rail and truck connectivity between central Alabama and the Port of Mobile.
“The Montgomery ICTF is a game-changer for freight movement in Alabama and beyond,” said John Driscoll, Director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority. “This facility will provide businesses with seamless access to global markets, driving economic growth and strengthening our state’s supply chain infrastructure.”
CSX, a key partner in the USD 94 million project, will serve the facility, ensuring efficient rail connectivity between the Port of Mobile and inland markets.
“This project is a significant step forward in advancing Alabama’s supply chain connectivity and economic growth,” said Christina Bottomley, CSX Vice President of Business Development & Real Estate. “This inland port will transform how freight is moved across the state—shifting more goods from congested highways onto the sustainable, efficient rail network that CSX operates.”
Since the project was first announced in 2022, the surrounding area has attracted over $3 billion in economic development investments from private companies, further positioning Montgomery as a key logistics hub.
“Whether it’s boosting freight transportation, fostering economic development, or connecting key industries in the state, the Port of Mobile—or as I like to call it, the ‘Port of Alabama’—means big business,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “With this expansion of the Port to a more central area of our state, we will strengthen Alabama’s freight connectivity with a larger, less congested reach.”
Governor Ivey added that she is working with the Port Authority, CSX, and industry leaders to ensure Alabama-made and Alabama-sourced goods reach all 67 counties.
Expected to be operational by 2027, the Montgomery ICTF will provide intermodal services that strengthen Alabama’s position in global trade. The facility will operate five days a week, offering express daily service between Mobile and Montgomery’s automotive and manufacturing hub. It is also expected to alleviate highway congestion as the Port of Mobile sees increased cargo volumes following the deepening of Mobile Harbor.
“By enhancing connectivity between the Port of Mobile and inland shippers, this logistics facility will open doors for job creation and new opportunities across multiple industries in Montgomery and beyond,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This project really demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships, and having spent much of my career at the Montgomery Chamber, I know that this facility will generate economic momentum in the region for years to come.”
Montgomery officials also highlighted the project’s long-term economic impact.
“With the rapid growth of our industrial sector, Montgomery is emerging as a premier logistics hub for the Southeast—centered around the transformative Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility,” said Anna Buckalew, President & CEO of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. “This investment is already fueling billions in economic development, strengthening our supply chains, and creating new opportunities for businesses to thrive.”
She added: “Strategic public-private partnerships like this are reshaping our region’s future, making Montgomery a critical gateway for global commerce. The leadership of the Alabama Port Authority has been invaluable in this effort, and we are proud of our partnership with this engine driving growth across the state.”
The project is funded through federal appropriations secured by former U.S. Senator Richard Shelby.
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