The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) system handles something close to 6 million trucks worth of cargo every year. With I-75 and I-85, much of that moves through the metro Atlanta region. Currently, only 20 percent of that container cargo moves by rail. Ultimately, rail is one of the answers to our traffic issues and the GPA is working on increasing that rail capacity.
The latest effort from GPA is an expenditure of $127 million to build the Blue Ridge Connector, a new inland terminal in Gainesville that will link northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah. Opening in 2026, the new rail line will serve a quickly growing region and an important economic engine for the state, producing heavy equipment, food and timber products.
“Through improved connectivity, developments like the Blue Ridge Connector maximize the impact of Georgia’s extensive logistics network,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “Inland terminals have a proven track record of powering economic development for rural Georgians by extending port services to the doorstep of manufacturing and supply chain operations.”
The funding for the project is derived from both GPA capital improvement funds and a grant from the Federal Maritime Administration of nearly $50 million. The new system will coordinate with Norfolk Southern Railroad to connect to the terminal in Savannah.
This investment almost doubles the investment in rail capacity, now totaling more than $374 million. That number includes the on-dock rail terminal in Savannah and the Appalachian Regional Port in northwest Georgia’s Murray County, just minutes from Dalton and I-75 north of Atlanta – a critical jump over Atlanta traffic and path into the Midwest for products arriving via the port.
“This important investment will help our customers streamline their supply chains while reducing congestion on Georgia highways,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. “As we have seen at the Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County, improved rail service to the region will increase transportation efficiency and act as a magnet for jobs and economic development.”
“Every container moved by rail will avoid a 600-mile roundtrip by truck between Savannah and the Gainesville, area,” Lynch added. “That’s a massive benefit to cargo owners seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Growth at the Savannah port is the fastest in the U.S. and infrastructure investments like this one not only help to keep pace with existing growth but will also attract future shipping. This rail investment is only a part of the $4.5 billion investment over the next ten years. Georgia has already received the top ranking in the country for its infrastructure and the ports system will likely help to keep the state at the top of these rankings for the foreseeable future.
The ports currently support more than 560,000 jobs, bringing $33 billion in income, $140 billion in revenue and $3.8 billion in state and local taxes. GPA is donating $6 million as part of a local workforce initiative that will focus on housing.
