The Regional East Alabama Logistics Park, known as REAL Park, is an important economic development opportunity for Macon County and the surrounding region. Located directly off Interstate 85, the park offers a centralized location within the Southeastern Automotive Corridor and positions the County to support future industrial growth, job creation, and investment in East Alabama.
Sain Associates is currently providing Construction Engineering & Inspection (CE&I) services for the Industrial Access Road project serving REAL Park. The project is under construction and will add new access to the park while also widening Alabama Highway 186. Sain previously provided Transportation Design services for roadway improvements, giving our team valuable continuity as the project moves through construction — continuity that traces back even further to the earliest groundwork at the park.
A History with REAL Park
Sain’s involvement at REAL Park dates back to 2020, well before the current road work broke ground. That year, Sain was contracted to provide topographic and ALTA surveys, platting, and site design for Building 100, a 169,000 SF spec building and the park’s first structure, part of a site that has since grown to more than 680 acres.
The site had previously operated as a sod farm, so the existing flat terrain didn’t require extensive grading. Even so, our site team worked closely with the geotechnical consultant and structural engineers to design required stormwater improvements , a necessary step given the site’s proximity to the flood plain. Because no utilities existed on the property, Sain coordinated with the Utilities Board of Tuskegee to bring infrastructure to the site, including a water tank for fire protection and an on-site septic system to support construction of Building 100.
Sain also conducted a Traffic Impact Study required by ALDOT and Macon County to secure roadway access. Our team also delivered mass grading construction documents for the Phase I site and roadway. That early survey and site design work laid the foundation — literally and figuratively — for the park’s growth and set the stage for Sain’s continued role as REAL Park has developed.
Improving Access to REAL Park
The Industrial Access Road project is an important step in strengthening access to REAL Park and preparing the site for continued industrial development. The project adds a 24-foot paved two-lane roadway into the park and a three-lane roadway with alternating turn lanes along Alabama Highway 186. Primary work items include earthwork, base, paving, topsoil and grassing, signs, and striping. These improvements will help support safe and efficient access for current and future users of the park.
As construction nears completion, Sain’s role is focused on construction engineering, inspection, coordination, and documentation. Our inspectors provide daily inspection services in accordance with ALDOT CE&I requirements, including daily reports, quantity tracking, progress photos, materials coordination, and field documentation. Sain’s CE&I services also include monthly pay estimate coordination, progress meetings, ALDOT coordination, and project closeout support.
On industrial access projects, clear documentation and consistent communication are essential. Sain’s Transportation Design and CE&I discipline works closely with the contractor, project owner, ALDOT, inspectors, designers, and local stakeholders to help keep the project moving forward and properly documented.
One Project, the Full Project Lifecycle
REAL Park is a strong example of the support Sain can provide over the full life of a project. Sain’s involvement began with survey and site design for Building 100, continued through transportation design for the Alabama Highway 186 and access road improvements, and now extends into construction engineering and inspection as crews build the project.
Few firms can carry a client from initial survey, through site and roadway design, and into construction oversight, but that is the kind of continuity Sain is built to provide, from the first stake in the ground to the final inspection.
Preparing the Park for Future Growth
Today, the Industrial Access Road improvements represent the next step in preparing REAL Park for future investment. As the park continues to pursue additional development opportunities, access and infrastructure improvements will be critical to supporting logistics, manufacturing, and industrial users.
Sain Associates is proud to support this project and contribute to infrastructure that will help shape the future of REAL Park, Macon County, and the surrounding region. Contact us to learn how our team can support your next infrastructure project.