Norfolk Southern announced it will invest over $200 million to expand capacity on a crucial rail line in Alabama, the 3B Corridor. The line connects markets in northern and central Alabama to the Port of Mobile and destinations worldwide. It serves critical industries such as agriculture, automotive, chemicals, forestry, and steel.
Expected to be completed in 2025, the project involves a mix of terminal and track-based infrastructure improvements, including capacity projects in central and southwest Alabama, customer-specific projects in north Alabama and locations north of Mobile, yard upgrades in Wilton, and a series of grade crossing improvements throughout the region.
Norfolk Southern is confident that the corridor will play a vital role in helping to solidify the Southeast as an “economic powerhouse.”
“Together with our customers, we are anticipating where markets are heading, and positioning to deliver on their supply chain needs now and into the future,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. “These investments will bring immediate returns as they make rail an even more competitive part of our nation’s supply chain and expand our customers end-to-end solutions.”
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With 1,300 miles of track operated, Norfolk Southern serves 565 customers in Alabama and has over 1,500 employees.
Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce Ellen McNair said Alabama’s pro-business environment is what drew Norfolk Southern to the state.
“We are grateful to Norfolk Southern for these investments in our state and for their support of our existing industries. This is proof that our open-for-business approach is attracting growth in our state among world-class businesses looking to locate or expand their operation.”
“We look forward to the positive impact these enhancements will have on Alabama’s economic competitiveness and on the nation’s supply chain more broadly.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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