6 American Journal of Transportation American Journal of Transportation ajot.com In today’s fast-moving market, efficiency and reliability give you the edge. With Odyssey Logistics’ advanced supply chain solutions, you get smarter routing, lower costs, and real-time visibility — all designed to keep you ahead of the competition. Let’s get there together. how to make simple? complex the © 2026 Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation odysseylogistics.com cross-country, Andrew Sibolb, director of economics for IANA, said, “Today’s shippers are not chasing low prices, but they are looking for reliability.” In the past, shippers have expressed concerns about rail transit times and reliabil- ity, factors that limited their use of rail or intermodal. However, with rail service improving, a variety of new industries are choosing inter- modal transportation. “Data center construction and renewable energy proj- ects are increasingly turning to intermodal shipping,” said Sibolb. “Products that once moved on flatbed trailers are now being transported in closed containers.” Class I Railroads Invest in Capacity and Technology to Support Intermodal Intermodal’s growing accep- tance as a viable transportation option may also reflect major Class I railroads’ continued investment in intermodal ser- vices to improve reliability and throughput—key prior- ities for trucking companies and shippers. Some projects launched by individual railroads include a recent $3.4 billion investment by Union Pacific (UP), which included the expansion of its intermodal access in key markets like Southern California, Phoe- nix, and Kansas City. The plan included adding technol- ogies to increase capacity and productivity. BNSF Railway’s $3.6 billion capital plan for 2026 includes several intermodal projects, including the com- pletion of the Barstow Interna- tional Gateway in California. The railroad also plans to begin construction of a new intermodal facility in Phoe- nix, Arizona. The CSX Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore reopened in September 2025, with the final clearance work com- pleted in 2026. This $450+ million project expands Bal- timore’s 1.7-mile Howard Street Tunnel, originally built in the 1890s, and updates the structure to allow full clear- ance for double-stack inter- modal container trains. In addition to these indi- vidual projects, a joint invest- ment initiative including several major Class I rail- roads is expected to lead to significant improvements. In September 2025, partici- pating railroads announced a $5 billion North American capacity expansion. The initiative includes (GROWING – continued from page 3) J. B. Hunt celebrates more than six decades as an industry pioneer and leader digital signaling upgrades to improve train sequencing and to reduce dwell times. Yard modernization will expand lift capacity and automate stacking at inland container terminals. New locomotives are intended to provide faster, more reliable intermodal services. Multimodal Providers Expand and Improve Intermodal Services “J. B. Hunt, along with our rail partners, has invested in the quality of our rail ser- vice offerings over the last several years,” said Darren Field, executive vice presi- dent and president of Inter- modal at J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. He said intermodal growth began about a year ago, after significant highway capacity left the market in 2026 and cus- tomers began seeking supply chain capacity solutions. “As a result, intermodal demand has reached levels not seen in some time, and its network, drayage operations, and providers are well posi- tioned to meet that demand while maintaining consistent service,” said Field. Other multimodal pro- viders are also investing in (GROWING – continued on page 8) J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., the first company to adopt intermodal services over 35 years ago, achieved another important milestone this year by celebrating its 65th anniversary. Founded in 1961 by J.B. and Johnelle Hunt, the company has helped shape the industry, growing from its trucking roots into a company with broad transportation and logistics capabilities. Through intermodal innovation, technology investments and a mode-neutral approach, the company has continued to evolve. “Sixty-five years is more than a milestone. It reflects the discipline, resilience and commitment of the people who have built J.B. Hunt and continue to move us forward,” said Shelley Simpson, president and chief executive officer at J.B. Hunt. She noted, “As the industry continues to evolve, our respon- sibility is to keep adapting, investing and finding better ways to create value. That’s the work our teams are doing every day, and it’s what positions us for the opportunities ahead.” Nasdaq invited J.B. Hunt to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell in New York City to mark the anniversary. Company leaders and longtime employees represented the company during the ceremony. The group included drivers, maintenance techni- cians, office employees and executives whose service spans multiple decades of the company’s history
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