Welcome to the central hub for the most accurate, up-to-date information about Norfolk Southern's Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility project in McCalla, AL. Norfolk Southern's goal is to partner with the community to bring this project to reality. In fact, Norfolk Southern is the most experienced and effective partner in working with communities to build projects that are mutually beneficial. The company believes that the power in partnerships is real and can create win-win solutions to economic and environmental challenges.
Please explore this website to learn how the project will bring jobs to McCalla and to the greater Birmingham/Tuscaloosa area and preserve McCalla's quality of life, and to read about how Norfolk Southern is embracing the "Growing Green" concept.
In mid-February Norfolk Southern was named as recipient of a $105 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation for its proposed Birmingham and Memphis intermodal projects. This was the largest TIGER grant awarded nationally, and the Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility was the only project to receive funding in Alabama. The TIGER award is a significant endorsement of the importance of the project, not only to Jefferson and the surrounding six counties, but to the U.S. economy as a whole.
Since that time, visibility of BRIMF activity has been less obvious as necessary details of the administration of this TIGER award are addressed. Work continues on the Environmental Assessment, and once that is complete it will be available for public comment. Alabama Dept. of Transportation is expected to hold one more public meeting on the BRIMF, most likely in July. While this review has taken longer than expected, Norfolk Southern still intends to have the BRIMF operational by the first quarter of 2012.
Recent McCallaCan meetings have offered citizens the opportunity to hear in-depth presentations on air quality and noise. Dr. George Howroyd made the presentation of air quality and David Baker of Portland, Oregon, an engineer specializing in noise issues for CH2MHILL, spoke and answered questions regarding noise.
No McCallaCan meetings are scheduled for the summer, but will resume in September, prior to the next public meeting .
A Community Outreach Group (COG) was formed to facilitate better communications between the railroad and the McCalla community, which will in turn lead to a more positive and productive relationship. The COG is not expected to replace or emulate a local government body or serve as an exclusive communication "vehicle" between NS and the community. The COG is able to suggest community-enhancement projects for NS to participate in, but so can McCallaCan, No Hub 4 McCalla, McAdory Elementary School, or others. Click here for meeting notes and other information about the COG that will be posted as it becomes available.