Norfolk Southern Expands Alabama Rail Capacity, Strengthens Port Connections

Norfolk Southern completed new strategic infrastructure investments across Alabama designed to increase freight capacity, improve network fluidity and strengthen rail corridors.

The work, which began in 2024, included more than a half-dozen separate projects along Norfolk Southern’s 3B Corridor, which connects businesses and markets in northern and central Alabama with the Port of Mobile and destinations worldwide.

Projects included a mix of terminal and track-based infrastructure improvements designed to support continued business and economic growth across the state. The work also included targeted grade crossing improvements in communities along the corridor.

“The investments we have made to our 3B Corridor over the last two years are reflective of NS’ commitment to meeting demand and delivering safe, reliable and efficient service for our customers,” says Norfolk Southern AVP strategic planning David Lehlbach. “This work – the largest comprehensive corridor improvement project that NS has undertaken in a decade – strengthens a corridor that is essential to Alabama’s economy, ensuring the state’s businesses have the supply chain infrastructure they need to continue to compete and grow.”

Key takeaways:

• Lacey Siding Extension and Relocation. An extension of a siding in Shelby County, as well as a westward shift of the siding’s footprint to significantly reduce blocked crossings in the nearby Brantleyville neighborhood.
• Wilton Siding, Yard, and Crossing. Construction of a new siding track for train meets, as well as new track alignments and installation of centralized traffic control (CTC) to better handle freight. Additionally, a new grade crossing is planned in coordination with the city and Shelby County to enhance access to nearby neighborhoods and improve motorist safety.
• Fremont, Catherine, Sunny South and Jackson Siding Extensions. Installation of CTC and extension of four sidings in Shelby, Wilcox and Clarke counties to be used for train meets, improving freight flow in Central Alabama.
• With the work now complete, Norfolk Southern enhanced its Alabama team’s ability to serve key industries in the region, including automotive, chemicals, forestry, paper and packaging, waste, steel and energy-related products.
• The 3B improvements also position customers along the line to take greater advantage of the Port of Mobile, which contributes billions in annual economic value to Alabama and serves as an important gateway for international trade.
• Norfolk Southern operates more than 1,300 miles of track in Alabama and employs about 1,600 people.