Transportation Infrastructure

The transportation infrastructure, along with the Shoals' strategic location to major southeastern cities, allow businesses a variety of options for shipping and receiving their products. The Shoals is located 120 miles north of Birmingham, 150 miles east of Memphis, 65 miles west of Huntsville, and 135 miles south of Nashville. There are four major modes of transportation available to residents and businesses in the Shoals. Click here for a map of the Shoals strategic location to major southeastern cities and driving directions from these cities.

Highway Infrastructure

Interstate access is available in the Shoals via Highway's 72 and 20. Both of these four-lane roads connect with Interstate 65, located 45 miles to the east in Athens, AL and Decatur, AL. Highway 72 within the Florence city limits is six-lane (Florence Blvd), as is, Highway 43 through the city limits of Muscle Shoals (Woodward Avenue). The current construction of the Patton Island Bridge will provide yet another link between Colbert and Lauderdale counties. Also, the proposed Atlanta-Memphis Highway Project will travel through the Shoals, providing a direct route to Memphis and Atlanta.

Related Links

Transportation Infrastructure Industrial Parks Retail Information Geography Maps

Water Services

The Port of Florence, on Pickwick Lake, is located at Tennessee River Mile 256.5. It is owned and operated by the Florence-Lauderdale County Port Authority, a public, non-profit corporation serving businesses and industry in Northwest Alabama. The Port of Florence can provide bulk materials handling by clam shell to rail or truck...by dump chute from truck to barge....or by transloader from rail or truck to barge. An overhead bridge crane has the ability to unload steel coils and other materials. A lighted public dock area is available for short-term use on a contract basis.

The Port is located only three blocks from U.S. Highway 72 and 43. These connect to Interstate 65 and Alabama Highway 20. The Muscle Shoals Regional Airport is six miles away, and the Huntsville-Madison International Jetplex is 65 miles to the east. The Florence Port is located in the Huntsville Port of Entry Primary Service area. Imports can be cleared locally by the U.S. Customs Service.

The Port, along with Florence Industrial Park are served by Tennessee Southern Railroad Company. Services of the Port include docks, a 40-ton overhead crane, a mobile (crawler) crane, Stevedore services (privately furnished), lighting system, 24,000 sq. ft. inside warehouse storage, and four acres outside paved storage.

For more information, please contact:

Port of Florence
P.O. Box 1169
Florence, AL 35630
(256) 767-5388
www.portofflorence.org

Rail Service

The Shoals is serviced by two railroads. Tennessee Southern Railroad Company services the Florence-Lauderdale County and Southern Tennessee industrial needs. Norfolk-Southern gives the Shoals the ability of shipping virtually any product nationwide via rail.

For more information, please contact:

Tennessee Southern
Railroad Company
202 Patton Island
Florence, AL 35631
(256) 760-1987
www.tnsou.com

Norfolk Southern Railway Company
P.O. Box 2659
Wilson Dam and Scott Drive
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 386-8860
www.nscorp.com

Air Service

The Shoals area is served by the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, located in Muscle Shoals. Northwest Airlink provides non-stop flights to Memphis each day. Rental car services are available on premises. Complete aircraft rescue and firefighting facilities are also located on the premises.

For more information, please visit the FlyTheShoals.com or contact:

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport
1687 T. Ed Campbell Drive
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
(256) 381-2869

The Huntsville-Madison International Jetplex is also located conveniently to the Shoals area. Located 65 miles east of the Shoals, the Jetplex offers non-stop flights to most major cities and complete international, intermodal shipping services. The Shoals is located within Huntsville Port of Entry Primary Service area. For more information, please contact:

Huntsville International Airport
P.O. Box 20008
1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd.
Huntsville, AL 35824
(256) 772-9395 ext. 260
www.hsvairport.org