The City of Fort Worth joined BNSF Railway and Hillwood to announce the creation of a mobility logistics hub called the Alliance Logistics District.
The district will serve as a first-of-its-kind hub within the Smart Port at AllianceTexas, Hillwood’s 27,000-acre master-planned, mixed-use development in Fort Worth. The Alliance Logistics District is designed to deliver operational advantages to operators or customers within its boundaries. Among the advantages are the ability to deploy semi- and fully autonomous vehicles along district roadways in the freight corridor and to use private hostler vehicles without a commercial driver’s license to shuttle freight between BNSF’s intermodal facility and District warehouses, and the right to perform heavy-haul freight movements across District roadways without the need for special-use permits.
“By integrating advanced technology, modern infrastructure and regulatory flexibility, this initiative reinforces AllianceTexas’ standing as one of the most connected, forward-thinking logistics ecosystems in the country,” Nicholas Konen, vice president of strategic development at Hillwood, said. “These advancements reduce costs for customers, improve logistics efficiency and take pressure off public roadways. Our long-standing partnerships with BNSF, the City of Fort Worth and regional transportation leaders are truly a testament to how public-private collaboration sparks innovation, accelerates industrial development and drives economic opportunity.”
Officials said the Alliance will redefine how freight moves through North Texas while reducing traffic on public roads. Hillwood emphasized in its request to the Fort Worth City Council that the Alliance Logistics District aligns with the city’s Innovation Districts Policy encouraging research, technology and entrepreneurship hubs.
“Through this public-private partnership, Fort Worth continues to lead in smart, sustainable infrastructure that drives our region’s economic vitality,” Lauren Prieur, Fort Worth’s director of transportation and public works said. “The Alliance Logistics District strengthens our position as a global logistics hub while ensuring forward-looking, responsible transportation planning.”