Georgia Gov Nathan Deal, along with representatives of the Georgia Ports Authority, the Greater Hall Chamber and Norfolk Southern Railroad, announced plans to make Hall County the site of the GPA’s next inland port.
“The Northeast Georgia Inland Port will be situated in the heart of the manufacturing and logistics corridor along Interstate 85, an important region for the production of heavy equipment, food and forest products,” said Deal. “Besides serving these existing port customers, it will also act as an economic development tool, drawing new investment from business and industry to Hall and its surrounding counties.”
Handling both import and export containers at the Gainesville terminal, Norfolk Southern will provide service on a direct rail route to and from the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal.
Port officials say improved access to rail will increase logistics options and overall efficiency, while reducing congestion on Georgia highways. Presently, containers moving by truck travel a 600-mile roundtrip to and from the Port of Savannah. When the new rail yard opens, drivers will be able to make shorter trips from area manufacturers and distribution facilities to the northeast Georgia site.
“Our new Gainesville location is part of our Network Georgia initiative, which provides new and existing port customers with additional logistics options,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “The new rail hub will allow importers and exporters to move loaded containers to the coast with greater efficiency, and provide a ready source of empty containers for Georgia exports.”
Located in the Gateway Industrial Centre on GA 365, the new 104-acre terminal will provide logistics solutions for customers across northeast Georgia. The facility’s services will draw from the 1.5-million population in Hall, Gwinnett and surrounding counties.
The Hall County inland terminal is scheduled to be complete in 2021. At full buildout, it will have the capacity to handle up to 150,000 containers per year.
Access www.gaports.com to learn more.
