LEWISTON – Two FedEx Ground facilities will consolidate into a new 79,000-square-foot facility off River Road, a move expected to enhance the package delivery service’s ability to compete.

“This is part of a multi-billion dollar effort to speed up our network,” said Allison Sobczak, spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh-based company. “That means we get packages faster from Point A to Point B.”

The distribution facility, located off River Road, should be open next spring, bringing together the business (FedEx Ground) and residential (FedEx Home Delivery) divisions under one roof. The consolidation is a $5 million investment.

“It’s more efficient to operate out of one building,” said Sobczak, noting that 80 percent of FedEx Ground deliveries are made within three days or less. The company now works out of buildings on Forrestal Street and Gendron Drive.

She said the company will likely hire a few more part-time people at the new facility; it now employs 83, nearly one-third of its Maine-based work force.

Proximity to the Maine Turnpike was important in deciding where to locate the facility. Sobczak said available labor and a business-friendly environment were also key.

“We knew we wanted to stay in Lewiston,” she said. “The question was where.”

The project went before the Planning Board in September. Last week, municipal and company officials celebrated with a ceremonial ground breaking.

– Carol Coultas