{"id":393042,"date":"2025-11-20T20:49:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T20:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/393042\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T20:49:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T20:49:21","slug":"hillwood-bnsf-railway-and-city-of-fort-worth-launch-the-alliance-logistics-district-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/393042\/","title":{"rendered":"Hillwood, BNSF Railway, and City of\u00a0Fort\u00a0Worth Launch the Alliance Logistics District \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dallas-based Hillwood, BNSF Railway, and the city of Fort Worth have announced the creation of the Alliance Logistics District, a \u201cfirst-of-its-kind\u201d mobility logistics hub within the Smart Port at AllianceTexas, Hillwood\u2019s 27,000-acre, master-planned, mixed-use development in north Fort Worth.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

The district\u2014which was officially designated and approved by the Fort Worth City Council on Nov. 11\u2014is designed to deliver tangible operational advantages to any operator or customer within its boundaries, Hillwood said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From autonomous vehicles to next-gen automation<\/p>\n

The district\u2019s benefits include the right to deploy semi- and fully autonomous vehicles along district roadways in the freight corridor, supporting next-generation logistics and automation.<\/p>\n

There is now also a right to use private hostler vehicles without a commercial driver\u2019s license (CDL) to shuttle freight between BNSF\u2019s intermodal facility and district warehouses, increasing operational efficiencies and reducing regulatory barriers, Hillwood said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photo: Hillwood<\/p>\n

In addition, heavy-haul freight movements with loads over 80,000 pounds can now be performed across the district\u2019s roadways without the need for special-use permits, enabling efficient transport of high-density or oversized goods.<\/p>\n

By being co-located with one of BNSF\u2019s largest intermodal facilities, operators and customers \u201ccan realize significant operational cost savings, enhanced connectivity and improved logistics efficiency,\u201d Hillwood said.<\/p>\n

Anchored by North America\u2019s largest inland rail port<\/p>\n

Spanning nearly 1,400 acres, the Alliance Logistics District is anchored by BNSF\u2019s Alliance intermodal facility, North America\u2019s largest inland rail port. The district is \u201cthe first of its kind\u201d within BNSF\u2019s rail and intermodal ecosystem, Hillwood said, and will \u201credefine how freight moves through North Texas while reducing traffic on public roads.\u201d<\/p>\n

By enabling more efficient and cost-effective cargo transport, the district aims to help customers save \u201cmillions of dollars\u201d annually while solidifying North Texas\u2019 position as a national leader in logistics innovation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Purpose-built for next-generation industrial development, the district features direct BNSF rail access and flexible logistics infrastructure designed to support manufacturers and shippers handling heavy, dense, or high-value goods\u2014including ceramics, plastics, and auto parts\u2014in a business climate where \u201cspeed, efficiency and connectivity are critical,\u201d Hillwood said.<\/p>\n

Nicholas Konen, VP of strategic development at Hillwood, said the district \u201creinforces AllianceTexas\u2019 standing as one of the most connected, forward-thinking logistics ecosystems in the country\u201d by integrating \u201cadvanced technology, modern infrastructure, and regulatory flexibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese advancements reduce costs for customers, improve logistics efficiency and take pressure off public roadways,\u201d Konen added in a statement. \u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Primary port of entry for the Southwest<\/p>\n

The inland port at AllianceTexas serves as the \u201cprimary port of entry for the southwestern United States,\u201d Hillwood noted, linking global trade directly to the region through intermodal rail connections from ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Houston.<\/p>\n

One of only two intermodal logistics hubs in Texas that integrate air, ground and rail transportation, the inland port enables companies to efficiently move goods across all three modes of transit.<\/p>\n

Jon Gabriel, BNSF group VP of consumer products, said the district \u201caligns perfectly with BNSF\u2019s vision to deliver transportation services that consistently meet our customers\u2019 expectations, with these innovations delivering cost savings and additional supply chain value.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy enabling the delivery of goods from rail to warehouse in a more efficient way, we\u2019re increasing the traffic that can capitalize on the cost, capacity and sustainability benefits of intermodal while creating a scalable model for the next generation of inland ports,\u201d Gabriel added in a statemet. \u201cThis strengthens the region\u2019s freight infrastructure and keeps North Texas at the forefront of global supply chain innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas ports generated $1T in international trade in 2024<\/p>\n

Hillwood cited a recently released study by the Texas Comptroller\u2019s office that shows Texas ports generated $1 trillion in international trade in 2024\u2014with AllianceTexas contributing over $834 million of that total. That marks a 550.7% increase since 2016, Hillwood added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough this public-private partnership, Fort Worth continues to lead in smart, sustainable infrastructure that drives our region\u2019s economic vitality,\u201d said Lauren Prieur, Fort Worth\u2019s director of transportation and public works. \u201cThe Alliance Logistics District strengthens our position as a global logistics hub while ensuring forward-looking, responsible transportation planning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hillwood\u2019s $20M bridge investment to boost district<\/p>\n

Along with the new district\u2019s operational enhancements, Hillwood is making a $20 million investment in a new private heavy-haul bridge over FM-156, saying it\u00a0 will \u201cunlock the district\u2019s true value\u201d by directly linking its 15 million square feet of distribution, logistics, and manufacturing space to BNSF\u2019s Alliance intermodal facility.<\/p>\n

Designed to meet TxDOT standards and engineered for 120,000-pound axle loads, the three-lane bridge will enable the efficient movement of heavy-haul freight while reducing truck traffic on public roads, Hillwood said. Construction is slated to be completed by late 2026, the company said.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n

Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n