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The Alabama Port Authority, in partnership with CSX, broke ground Thursday on the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance freight mobility and stimulate economic growth throughout the region.
The project is funded through federal appropriations secured by former Senator Richard Shelby. Since the Port announced the project in 2022, the area surrounding the facility has attracted over $3 billion in economic development investments from private companies, further solidifying Montgomery’s position as a key logistics hub.
Governor Kay Ivey shared, “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. 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. I am proud to work with Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair, the Port Authority, CSX, and other industry leaders to ensure our Alabama-made and Alabama-sourced goods have the opportunity to reach all 67 counties.”
Located on a 272-acre site with direct access to Interstate 85 and Highway 31, the Montgomery ICTF has a throughput capacity of 60,000 TEUs per year – effectively 30,000 shipping containers – and will provide 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 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 and 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.”
The facility will operate five days a week, offering express daily service from the Port in Mobile to Alabama’s automotive and manufacturing hub in Montgomery. Additionally, this facility will relieve stress on the interstate system as the Port sees additional cargo volume following the deepening of Mobile Harbor.
The Montgomery ICTF is expected to be operational by 2027, and will provide critical intermodal services that enhance Alabama’s competitive advantage in global trade. Once complete, the Montgomery ICTF will look similar to the Mobile ICTF. For additional details on the Montgomery facility, click here.
Additional comments on the Port Authority’s progress were provided by a multitude of Alabama leaders and departments heads.
“As Alabama’s economy continues to grow rapidly, state leaders must remain committed to finding innovative solutions aimed at efficiently moving goods from the point of production to the point of sale,” said Speaker Ledbetter. “The Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility will serve as a significant asset for the River Region and the entire state. Between our interstates, highways, inland waterways, and ports, Alabama is utilizing every tool at its disposal to keep the wheels of commerce turning,” Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Alabama State House of Representatives.
“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.”
“Today’s groundbreaking for the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility marks a historic step forward for our region’s economy and infrastructure. This facility will strengthen our supply chain, attract new business opportunities, and create jobs that will benefit Montgomery County for generations to come. We are proud to support this investment in our future, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community and beyond,” Chairman Doug Singleton, Montgomery County Commission.
“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 and 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. 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.”
“Whether over water or rail, in partnership with the Port and the state of Alabama, our goal is to help our customers get their goods to market efficiently and cost-effectively. The Montgomery ICTF is a key component of our ability to serve businesses across the state and country and is something our customers should leverage as an extension of our waterfront operations in Mobile,” Brian Harold, Managing Director, APM Terminals Mobile.
