ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WKRN) – A new venture along the Cumberland River is looking to create more options for freight transportation and establish new jobs in Cheatham County.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Cheatham County and Ingram Marine Group have joined forces to create the Ashland City River Port.

The 40-acre site will be located at mile marker 162 on the Cumberland River and cost $30 million. TDOT is contributing $3 million for the construction of the pier using state funds.

It’s being designed to handle a variety of dry cargo, including cement, aluminum, and rubber.

“We are incredibly excited to launch the Ashland City River Port project,” said John Roberts, CEO of Ingram Marine Group. “This strategic location will allow us to move a variety of dry goods more efficiently and effectively to better serve Tennessee businesses and residents.”

The project will include a multimodal, multi-commodity inland river port to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion and spur economic growth by creating employment opportunities and generating more local tax revenue. 

“It's important for us to have local access to rural areas and also have good-paying jobs in these areas,” said Erin Zeigler with TDOT. “We know that so many people raise their families in Cheatham County, and we want the people growing up there now to have good-paying jobs like these, so they can raise their families for generations to come.”

TDOT said this port will significantly improve the supply chain movement since it will be located within 10 miles of Interstates 40 and 65.

Zeigler told News 2 it's important to leverage public and private partnerships to best meet the state's evolving infrastructure needs.

“This is opening up so many more opportunities for this area, and also just for freight travel in Tennessee and beyond,” Zeigler said. “Not only is this bringing great jobs to the area, rural access, it means cutting down on congestion from the interstates in and out of Tennessee. It's a win-win for everybody.”

Construction is scheduled to begin soon. The project is set to be completed by summer 2026.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/cumberland-river-commerce-expansion-in-ashland-city/