Gainesville Inland Port
Extending the Port of Savannah’s reach into Gainesville, Georgia - Open May 2026
The Gainesville Inland Port – linking the Port of Savannah and Gainesville, Georgia
The Gainesville Inland Port is set to open May 4, 2026, with direct rail service from Norfolk Southern five days a week between Northeast Georgia and the Port of Savannah. 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 — can reach international markets more efficiently.
This new 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. At full build-out, the $134 million inland port will have an annual capacity of 200,000 containers.
Benefits of the Gainesville Inland Port
Fewer Trucks on Local Highways
18 million truck-miles removed from Georgia roadways in the facility’s opening year, growing to 43 million truck-miles removed in 2045.
New Jobs
15,169 jobs in Hall County are supported by port activity. (*SOURCE: FY2024 Economic Impact Study by the UGA Terry College of Business)
Increased Economic Development
The inland terminal will act as an economic development tool, drawing new investment from business and industry to Hall and its surrounding counties. The Blue Ridge Connector will create 20 new direct jobs and serve as a magnet for new economic development.
Improved Environmental Benefits
Shift to rail will reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent or 22,510 metric tons, compared to an all-truck route in the first year
Reduced Impact to Surrounding Area
Providing five-day a week service, the GIP will operate from Monday through Friday. It will be served by 14 hybrid electric rubber-tired gantry cranes. The cranes will use special “whisper” movement alarms that use white noise, rather than the typical three-tone alarms.
Less Impact to Local Highways
Rail service will eliminate 52,000 truck trips through Atlanta. Avoided Pavement Maintenance Costs of $15.9 million. GPA contributed $4.8 million to Hall County road improvement projects eliminating an at-grade rail crossing, rerouting White Sulphur Road and resurfacing Cagle Road.
Gainesville Inland Port - Media Kit
Learn more about the new $134 million inland terminal from the Georgia Ports Authority in Gainesville, Georgia.
Gainesville Inland Port - News
Read the latest news on the Gainesville Inland Port’s site progress.
Gainesville Inland Port - Fact Sheet
View the Gainesville Inland Port fact sheet.
