The Fort Worth City Council approved the designation during the Nov. 11 meeting, followed by a joint news release issued Nov. 18.
The district will serve as a first-of-its-kind mobility logistics hub within the Smart Port at AllianceTexas, redefining how freight moves through North Texas while reducing traffic on public roads, according to a news release.
What’s happening
The district is designed to make cargo transportation faster and more cost-effective. It will allow autonomous and semi-autonomous shuttles to move freight, as well as overweight and private heavy-haul vehicles that could save millions of dollars annually, according to a news release. Businesses will also be able to:
- Use private hostler vehicles without a commercial driver’s license to shuttle freight between BNSF’s intermodal facility and warehouses within the new district, increasing operational efficiencies and reducing regulatory barriers.
- Move loads over 80,000 pounds without special-use permits on district roadways, making it easier to transport heavy or oversized goods.
Roads in the district include Mobility Way, Distribution Drive and Intermodal Parkway, according to maps provided during the council meeting.
Zooming in
BNSF’s Alliance intermodal facility is the largest inland port in North America. The BNSF rail connects to ports in Houston, as well as Los Angeles and Long Beach in California.
The district spans 1,400 acres at AllianceTexas and will support manufacturers and shippers handling heavy, dense or high-valued goods such as ceramics, plastics or auto parts, according to the new release.
What they’re saying
“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 real estate development company Hillwood, said in the news release. Hillwood manages the AllianceTexas development. “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.”
What else?
According to the Texas Comptroller’s website, AllianceTexas and Port San Antonio are the only two intermodal logistics hubs in Texas that integrate air, ground, and rail transportation to facilitate the movement of goods across all three modes of transit.
According to previous reporting, Texas ports generated $1 trillion in international trade in 2024, with AllianceTexas contributing $834.6 million—a 550.7% increase since 2016.
One more thing
The news release announced Hillwood is investing $20 million in a private heavy-haul bridge over FM 156. The three-lane bridge would be engineered for 120,000-pound axle loads and would reduce truck traffic on public roads. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2026.
