The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) will open its Gainesville Inland Port in Georgia on May 4, 2026, expanding inland connectivity for regional manufacturers.
The $134 million facility will provide direct rail service between Northeast Georgia and the Port of Savannah. Norfolk Southern will operate five-day-a-week rail service, offering an alternative to a 600-mile roundtrip truck route.
The inland port will support cargo movement for industries including poultry, heavy equipment, and forest products. At full build-out, the facility will handle up to 200,000 containers annually.
The project includes development of a rail yard, intermodal transfer infrastructure, and on-site logistics capabilities. The facility will connect to Savannah’s global shipping network, which serves approximately 40 vessels per week.
GPA also invested $4.8 million in local infrastructure improvements to support the project. These upgrades include elimination of an at-grade rail crossing, rerouting of White Sulphur Road, and resurfacing of Cagle Road. Crews completed these projects in 2025.
The facility is expected to reduce congestion by replacing an estimated 26,000 truck trips annually. The shift to rail will improve freight efficiency and reduce emissions across the region.