Norfolk Southern completes work to expand Alabama rail capacity, strengthen port connections

ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2026 – Norfolk Southern has completed a package of new strategic infrastructure investments across Alabama designed to increase freight capacity, improve network fluidity and strengthen one of the state’s most important rail corridors and a critical economic engine for the state.

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. In addition to improving network capacity and flow, 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,” said 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.”

Norfolk Southern Completed 3B Investments

• Lacey Siding Extension and Relocation | Extension of an important 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 CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) 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 very important sidings in Shelby, Wilcox and Clarke counties to be used for train meets, improving freight flow in Central Alabama.

“Norfolk Southern’s completed infrastructure upgrades represent exactly the kind of private-sector commitment that strengthens Alabama’s economy for the long term,” said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair. “By following through on its promise to expand capacity, improve freight movement, and support continued growth around the state, Norfolk Southern is helping make Alabama more competitive while also delivering meaningful benefits to the communities where it operates.”

Customers Already Seeing Benefits

With the work now complete, Norfolk Southern has 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.

The improvements are already supporting opportunities for growth along the corridor. In April, Norfolk Southern marked a year of serving Warrior Met Coal on its Berry Branch – a railroad line separate from the 3B but equally important to Norfolk Southern’s coal franchise that feeds into the 3B to access the Port of Mobile.

“The 3B Corridor is an important part of Warrior Met Coal’s transportation network impacting how we move premium metallurgical coal from our Alabama mines to international steel customers using the McDuffie Coal Terminal at the Port of Mobile,” said Warrior Met Coal Chief Commercial Officer Charles Lussier. “Norfolk Southern’s investments in capacity and fluidity helps strengthen that connection, improving supply chain reliability and supporting our ability to serve steelmaking markets worldwide.”

At the southern end of the corridor, International Paper is seeing improved service at the company’s three mills located along the 3B.

“Norfolk Southern's investments in the 3B Corridor have enhanced network fluidity and strengthened rail service throughout Alabama and the Gulf region,” said Adam Sanders, Manager, Rail Operations and Sourcing at International Paper. “International Paper operates three major mills and multiple converting facilities along this corridor, making safe, reliable rail service essential to our supply chain. These improvements help support our operations, better serve our customers, and position the region for continued growth."

Norfolk Southern operates more than 1,300 miles of track in Alabama and employes about 1,600 people. An overview of Norfolk Southern’s business and impact on the state of Alabama can be found here.

About Norfolk Southern  

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE​: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7​ million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.  

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