The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced on Monday a public private partnership between the state, Cheatham County and Ingram Marine Group to develop the Ashland City River Port project.
Officials said the port will enhance connectivity with freight transportation while reducing congestion and spurring economic growth. The project includes a multimodal, multi-commodity inland river port on the Cumberland River. As part of the partnership, Ingram will construct the $30 million inland port on land identified by Cheatham County, and TCOT will construct the $3 million pier with state funds.
“Strategic partnerships like this represent the kind of forward-thinking solutions essential to addressing Tennessee’s evolving infrastructure needs,” Tennessee Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said. “TDOT remains committed to exploring every opportunity to strengthen our regional and national economic competitiveness by advancing infrastructure enhancements and operational innovations that alleviate congestion and remove critical freight bottlenecks.”
Officials said the port will enhance supply chain movement while creating jobs and stimulating the local economy and reducing pollution.
“We welcome Ingram Marine Group as a major part of the Cheatham County Industrial Park,” Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver said. “Its impact will reach far beyond the Cumberland River, stretching to the Nashville region. Cheatham County could not ask for a better neighbor to bring investment and jobs our way. Thanks to TDOT for helping make this port a reality. It truly is a public-private partnership that will result in jobs and a tax base for the county. The river port, along with the existing Cheatham Rail line and four-lane roadway into Nashville, will give the best options to bring commerce in and out of middle Tennessee.”
Construction is expected to start this summer. Phase 1 construction will include a fixed dock, multi-commodity warehouse and site improvement. The barges will move a variety of dry good from the Ashland City River Port, including materials like cement, rebar, aluminum and rubber.
“Saying how incredibly excited we are to launch this project would be an understatement,” John Roberts, CEO of Ingram Marine Group, said. “The Ashland City River Port will allow us to move a variety of dry goods more efficiently and effectively to better serve Tennessee businesses and residents.”