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Georgia Inland Port Opens with Rail Link to Savannah, Eyes 26,000 Containers in Year One

Georgia's newest inland terminal began operations in May with a ceremonial opening Thursday, connecting Northeast Georgia manufacturers directly to Port of Savannah services via Norfolk Southern rail service. The $134 million Gainesville facility serves as a regional gateway for more than 330 manufacturers producing poultry, heavy equipment and forest products. The five-day-a-week rail service eliminates a roughly 600-mile round-trip truck haul. Shippers gain access to approximately 40 weekly vessel calls at Savannah. Georgia Ports Authority projects the 104-acre terminal will shift 26,000 containers to rail during its first operational year, easing highway congestion across the state. At full build-out, the facility can handle 200,000 containers annually. The inland port represents Georgia's latest effort to extend seaport connectivity into underserved regional markets.