NE Georgia rail terminal to improve efficiency, reduce long-haul truck traffic
CNBC ranked Georgia #1 in the U.S. for infrastructure in America’s Top States for Business in 2023.
The Georgia Ports Authority is expanding its rail cargo capacity to move containers across the state and into the Midwest with greater speed and efficiency, according to GPA General Manager of Inland Operations Wesley Barrell.
Speaking at the inaugural Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Logistics Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Barrell said development of the Blue Ridge Connector, near Gainesville, Ga., is progressing.
Norfolk Southern
“Construction is moving along well. With another six weeks of earthwork, the rail yard grade will be met, allowing for additional engineering to advance,” Barrell said. “We are working closely with Norfolk Southern on tying our infrastructure into their existing track.”
Port of Savannah
When complete, the 104-acre site will feature six tracks for a total of 18,000 feet. The facility will create 20 direct local jobs. The inland port will link Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s 36 global container ship services that call each week.
Poultry producers.
Norfolk Southern Railroad will provide five-day a week service to the Blue Ridge Connector, which will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. GPA will provide expedited service from Savannah to the BRC with third day availability.
To the crowd gathered at Lanier Technical College in Gainesville, Barrell said there is great interest in the new rail terminal from local businesses such as poultry producers.
Open in 2026
“We will offer refrigerated cargo by rail, with this unique transit from the Blue Ridge Connector to Savannah,” he said. “There are five cold storage freezers within five miles of our location, and more than 50 users of those cold storage facilities. We look to provide services to this customer base.”
Slated to open in 2026, the $127 million facility will serve an existing customer base, which also includes producers of heavy equipment and forest products.
Appalachian Regional Port
“As shown by the impact of our first inland terminal, the Appalachian Regional Port, the BRC will also act an economic catalyst for Northeast Georgia, bringing jobs and opportunity,” Barrell said. “Presently, nearly 10,000 Hall County jobs are in industries that rely on Georgia Ports.”
Foreign trade zone
An existing, locally owned company recently began operation of a foreign trade zone in the area, where import cargo may be held for storage, assembly or manufacturing without payment of duties until the goods move into the domestic market.
Located within 10 miles of the BRC, the FTZ was established to serve international cargo moving through the rail yard, and will give cargo owners greater flexibility in the timing of their supply chain.
Blue Ridge Connector
Customers will no longer need to truck containers through Hall County to the Port of Savannah, because shorter routes to the inland port will become possible. Additionally, every container moved by rail means fewer trucks on state highways moving through the Atlanta area. The Blue Ridge Connector will have an annual capacity of 200,000 containers.
MASON MEGA RAIL
Georgia Ports’ inland rail connections are supported by the largest on-port intermodal facility in North America, the Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal.
“With 24 miles of on-terminal track, Mason Mega Rail provides ample space to take on new rail business,” Barrell said.
Six 10,000-foot trains
Capable of serving six 10,000-foot trains simultaneously, Mason Mega Rail doubles Georgia Ports’ previous intermodal capacity to 2 million TEUs a year. It is integral to GPA’s “1,2,3” cargo strategy — one day off the vessel, two days transportation, and third day availability.
About Georgia Ports
Georgia’s ports and inland terminals support more than 561,000 jobs throughout the state annually, contributing $33 billion in income, $140 billion in revenue and $3.8 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy.
Investing $4.2 billion
GPA anticipates investing $4.2 billion in the next ten years as part of its port master plan to expand cargo handling capabilities to support future supply chain requirements. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million will be donated to communities located near the Port of Savannah to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative.
Top States for Business in 2023
CNBC ranked Georgia #1 in the U.S. for infrastructure in America’s Top States for Business in 2023. Area Development – a site selection news outlet for the U.S., has ranked Georgia as the Top State to Do Business for ten consecutive years.
