The Georgia Ports Authority recently said its new inland port in Gainesville, Georgia, opens May 4. The GPA said in a recent statement the new facility will strengthen northeast Georgia’s attractiveness and business competitiveness, and reduce the number of truck trips.
With a direct connection to Savannah’s 40 ships per week global ocean carrier network, local manufacturers — including poultry, heavy equipment, and forest product companies — will now be able to reach international markets more efficiently.
Direct rail with five day a week service between Northeast Georgia and Savannah gives shippers an alternative to a 600-mile roundtrip truck route that will reduce trucks on Georgia’s highways and in the Atlanta region.
“Our new inland rail facility in Gainesville, Georgia, will significantly offset truck traffic congestion in Atlanta and improve air quality by replacing an estimated 26,000 truck roundtrips in the first year alone. We’re already seeing positive customer engagement and Norfolk Southern will bring an excellent level of service working together with GPA,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch at the March 24 GPA Board meeting.
When completed, the $134 million Gainesville Inland Port will have an annual capacity of 200,000 containers.
