FY23 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements - Congressionally Directed - Rail Expansion, Rehabilitation and Modernization Project

The objective of the Project is to expand rail capacity to support freight transportation needs and enable efficient and cost-effective movement of international exports and imports through Alabama, as well as other parts of the USA. The Alabama State Port Authority ("ASPA") will use the CRISI grant to support the engineering design, environmental review, and the construction of two subprojects: (1) an inland Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) in Montgomery, Alabama; and (2) the Chickasaw Lead track in Mobile, Alabama (collectively the Project). The Montgomery ICTF will provide an alternate shipping transport option for existing businesses between ASPA's Port of Mobile (Port) and central Alabama. It would also reduce container storage congestion at the Port and decrease truck traffic on I-65 (a high-volume truck route) between the Port and central Alabama. ASPA, in partnership with the city of Montgomery and CSX Transportation (CSXT), will construct the proposed Montgomery ICTF. Expected outcome is more freight movements transported by rail. The Chickasaw lead track will add additional capacity to accommodate longer consists (i.e., 10,000 ft.), thereby making it easier for Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks (TASD) to assemble trains, between the Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks' (TASD) interchange yard and multiple industry tracks located north of Mobile, AL. It will support freight rail growth in and around the Port of Chickasaw and allow for an increase in Class I rail traffic into the TASD interchange yard. Currently, there are operational bottlenecks, and it takes TASD more time to assemble and move trains, as well as to move cargo through the Port. Expected outcome is increased track capacity within ASPA.