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5/12/2023
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced yesterday the planned Northeast Georgia Inland Port — which will serve as a new rail hub connecting to the Port of Savannah — received federal environmental approval.
The next step is for GPA to finalize a $46.8 million grant agreement with the U.S. Maritime Administration, port authority officials said in a press release. Construction is slated to begin in January 2024 and wrap up by July 2026.
The new inland container port will be located in Gainesville and Hall counties along the Interstate 85/I-985 corridor with an annual capacity of 60,000 containers at buildout. The port would alleviate nearly 36 million truck miles on Georgia highways in its first year of operation, GPA officials said.
The port authority estimates 46% of truck traffic between northeast Georgia and Savannah will shift to rail following the inland port's opening, reducing carbon dioxide emissions 1.6 billion tons by 2054.
Meanwhile, GPA announced plans to build another inland port in LaGrange. The port authority has acquired a 200-acre parcel adjacent to a CSX line with access to Interstate 85 and I-185. The site could eventually serve Kia's nearby auto manufacturing plant, GPA officials said.
The authority aims to develop inland rail hubs around the state under a "Network Georgia" plan.