The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is undertaking a significant expansion of its rail cargo capacity to enhance the movement of containers across Georgia and into the Midwest.
Wesley Barrell, the GPA General Manager of Inland Operations, announced this development during the inaugural Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Logistics Forum held on 6 August.
"Construction is moving along well. With another six weeks of earthwork, the rail yard grade will be met, allowing for additional engineering to advance. We are working closely with Norfolk Southern on tying our infrastructure into their existing track," stated Barrell.
A key component of this expansion is the development of the Blue Ridge Connector near Gainesville, Georgia. This project aims to improve the efficiency and speed of container transportation, thereby strengthening the logistics infrastructure and supporting economic growth in the region.
The expansion will facilitate a more seamless integration of Georgia ports with rail networks, offering a more efficient alternative for cargo movement beyond the state and into the Midwest.
Upon completion, the 420,000m² Blue Ridge Connector (BRC) site will feature six tracks totalling 5,500 metres and create 20 direct local jobs. This inland port will link Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s 36 global container ship services that call weekly.
Norfolk Southern Railroad will provide a five-day-a-week service to the BRC, operating from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The GPA will offer expedited service from Savannah to the BRC with third-day availability.
Addressing the crowd at Lanier Technical College in Gainesville, Wesley Barrell highlighted the strong interest in the new rail terminal from local businesses, including poultry producers. Scheduled to open in 2026, the US$127 million facility will cater to an existing customer base, which includes producers of heavy equipment and forest products.
A locally owned company recently initiated a foreign trade zone (FTZ) in the area, allowing import cargo to be stored, assembled, or manufactured without duty payment until entering the domestic market. Located within 16,000 metres of the BRC, the FTZ will support international cargo moving through the rail yard, offering cargo owners greater flexibility in supply chain timing.
For port customers, the intermodal service to Savannah will provide a competitive transportation option with a reduced carbon footprint due to lower emissions per container. The inland terminal in Hall County is also expected to ensure a ready supply of empty containers for regional exports.
Customers will no longer need to truck containers through Hall County to the Port of Savannah, as shorter routes to the inland port will become available. Each container moved by rail will reduce the number of trucks on state highways, particularly through the Atlanta area. The Blue Ridge Connector will have an annual capacity of 200,000 containers.
Additionally, the Blue Ridge Connector marks the latest advancement in the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) strategic rail strategy.
In addition to the Savannah market, the GPA operates the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) in Northwest Georgia.
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Wesley Barrell noted that customers can leverage these inland ports to move cargo closer to destination markets by rail, significantly reducing overall supply chain emissions compared to all-truck transit.
In Fiscal Year 2024, which ended on 30 June, GPA recorded a record 36,730 rail lifts at its ARP, a 9% increase over FY2023, which was also a record year for the terminal near Chatsworth in Northwest Georgia.
The Georgia Ports have secured major accounts near the Appalachian Regional Port, including GE Appliances, LG, and solar technology producer Hanwha Qcells, now in its third expansion.
The ARP handles a variety of goods, including carpet and flooring, automotive manufacturing components, and tyres. With convenient access to Interstate 75 and U.S. 411, the target markets include Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Recently, GPA added the Carolina Connector service, linking the Port of Savannah to Rocky Mount, N.C., via CSX rail. Barrell highlighted that the speed of this connection allows importers to access cargo faster than if it were offloaded at another East Coast port. For exporters, the Rocky Mount inland terminal significantly reduces truck transit times, enabling a driver from the Raleigh-Durham area to reach the CSX yard in 30 minutes, compared to the three-hour drive to the nearest mid-Atlantic port.
