The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) announced that its new $134 million inland port in Gainesville, Georgia, is scheduled to officially open on May 4, 2026. This 104-acre facility is designed to enhance Northeast Georgia’s business competitiveness by providing a direct logistical link to the Port of Savannah’s global ocean carrier network, which handles approximately 40 ship calls per week. The project is part of a broader $5 billion infrastructure investment plan aimed at expanding rail, yard, and berth capacity over the next decade.
The inland terminal will offer direct Norfolk Southern rail service five days a week, providing regional manufacturers—particularly in the poultry, heavy equipment, and forest products sectors—a more efficient alternative to traditional trucking. By replacing a 600-mile roundtrip truck route, the facility is expected to eliminate an estimated 26,000 truck trips in its first year of operation alone. This shift is projected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the Atlanta region while improving air quality through lower carbon emissions.
At full build-out, the Gainesville Inland Port will feature an annual capacity of 200,000 containers. To support the new terminal, GPA and local authorities have already completed $17.7 million in infrastructure upgrades, including the realignment of White Sulphur Road and the resurfacing of Cagle Road to maintain traffic flow and emergency access. The terminal will also utilize sustainable technology, including a fleet of seven electric cranes and specialized lighting to minimize its environmental footprint on the surrounding community.