NS completes infrastructure upgrades across Alabama

Norfolk Southern Railway has completed a series of strategic infrastructure upgrades across Alabama designed to increase freight capacity, improve network fluidity and strengthen one of the state's most important rail corridors. 

The work began in 2024 and included more than six separate terminal and track-based projects along NS' 3B Corridor, which connects businesses and markets in northern and central Alabama with the Port of Mobile, NS officials said in a press release. The work also included grade crossing improvements in communities along the corridor. 

Work completed includes upgrades to the Wilton siding, yard and crossing, including construction of a new siding track for train meets, construction of new track alignments and installation of centralized traffic control (CTC). Additionally, NS is planning a new grade crossing project in coordination with the city and Shelby County. 

NS also extended and shifted the Lacey siding in Shelby County to reduce blocked crossings in a nearby neighborhood, and crews installed CTC and extended four additional sidings in Shelby, Wilcox and Clarke counties.

The completed work enhances NS' ability to serve key industries in the region and increases shippers' access to the Port of Mobile, NS officials said. The upgrades have already improved service for shippers in the region, including International Paper, which has locations at the southern end of the 3B Corridor.

"International Paper operates three major mills and multiple converting facilities along this corridor, making safe, reliable rail service essential to our supply chain," said Adam Sanders, International Paper's manager of rail operations and sourcing. "These improvements help support our operations, better serve our customers and position the region for continued growth."