Construction begins on Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility

Norfolk Southern's CEO Wick Moorman and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley joined state and local officials and business leaders on June 6 to officially break ground on the new Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility in McCally Ala. The $97.5 million facility is part of the railroad's estimated $2.5 billion multi-state Crescent Corridor initiative, a program of independent projects and improvements geared toward creating a high-capacity, 2,500-mile intermodal route spanning from New Jersey to Louisiana that touches 26 percent of the nation's population and 30 percent of the nation's manufacturing output. The Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility occupies a 316-acre site adjacent to the Jefferson Metropolitan Park in McCalla and is expected to open in late 2012. The Intermodal Facility is expected to create or enhance 8,600 jobs in central Alabama over the next 10 years and its capacity will grow to handle 165,000 containers and trailers annually. The terminal will utilize the latest in gate and terminal automation technology, improving truck driver productivity and air quality. Additionally, state-of-the-art low emission cranes and hostler tractors will operate within the terminal. "The Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility will bring significant economic growth to McCalla and thousands of jobs to Alabamians. As our economy is regaining strength, companies like Norfolk Southern recognize Alabama is a great place to do business," said Governor Bentley at the ceremony. "This new terminal will enable goods to move more quickly throughout the country."