Construction is scheduled to begin soon on a $91 million log line replacement project at Georgia-Pacific’s containerboard mill in Monticello.

The project is one of the company’s single largest investments into the Lawrence County facility.

The log line consists of weigh scales, cranes, a rechipper, unbinding racks and other equipment needed to safely unload trucks and prepare logs and chips for processing into pulp.

The project will include new radial boom cranes, scales, and operations control room and other key pieces of equipment. The new log line will reduce truck unloading times, improve truck traffic flow, allow for the use of more long longs and improve wood yield.

“The investment reinforces Georgia-Pacific’s commitment to Monticello, Lawrence County and the surrounding area,” said Monticello mill Vice President Jeff Joyce. “It will position us for continued success in the future.”

The new log line will also improve the facility’s competitive position in the industry and strengthen the mill’s relationships with wood suppliers.

“This project will create long-term value and improve our capabilities as we work to become the best manufacturer in the industry,” said Drexel Lambert, vice president of GP containerboard operations.

The Monticello mill is one of five facilities in the GP Packaging and Cellulose segment and has a workforce of approximately 400 employees. The mill produces unbleached linerboard paper in various weights and grades that is used as the outer layers of corrugated containers, which are in turn used for a variety of purposes including shipping and food storage.