Georgia Ports Authority Expands Rail Cargo Capacity

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is expanding its rail cargo capacity to improve container movement across the state and into the Midwest. Wesley Barrell, GPA General Manager of Inland Operations, announced at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Logistics Forum on August 6 that the development of the Blue Ridge Connector (BRC) near Gainesville, Georgia, is progressing.

Barrell reported that construction is on track, with another six weeks of earthwork needed to reach the rail yard grade. The facility will have six tracks totaling 18,000 feet and is expected to create 20 direct local jobs. The BRC will connect Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s global container services and will feature Norfolk Southern Railroad service five days a week. GPA will provide expedited service with a third-day availability from Savannah to the BRC.

The $127 million facility is scheduled to open in 2026 and will serve existing customers, including poultry producers, heavy equipment manufacturers, and forest product producers. The BRC will offer refrigerated cargo services and is expected to stimulate local economic activity.

Additionally, a nearby foreign trade zone will support international cargo movement, allowing for storage, assembly, or manufacturing without immediate duty payment. This will enhance supply chain flexibility for cargo owners.

The BRC will reduce the need for trucking containers through Hall County to the Port of Savannah, decrease truck traffic on state highways, and have an annual capacity of 200,000 containers.

MASON MEGA RAIL

The Mason Mega Rail Terminal at the Port of Savannah, a cornerstone of GPA’s expansion strategy, significantly strengthens the Authority’s rail operations. The terminal features 24 miles of on-terminal track and is equipped to handle six 10,000-foot trains simultaneously. This infrastructure upgrade doubles GPA’s previous intermodal capacity to 2 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually. The Mason Mega Rail Terminal is central to GPA’s “1,2,3” cargo strategy, which ensures that cargo moves from vessel offload to departing rail in Savannah in just 29 hours, the fastest turnaround time of any major U.S. port.

STRATEGIC RAIL STRATEGY

The Blue Ridge Connector is a key element of GPA’s strategic rail expansion. Slated to open in 2026 with a budget of $127 million, the BRC will occupy 104 acres and feature six tracks totaling 18,000 feet. The facility is expected to create 20 direct local jobs and will provide a critical link between Northeast Georgia and the Port of Savannah’s weekly 36 global container ship services. Norfolk Southern Railroad will operate five days a week, with GPA offering expedited service from Savannah to the BRC, ensuring third-day availability for cargo.

The BRC will serve a diverse range of customers, including poultry producers, heavy equipment manufacturers, and forest product producers. The facility will also offer refrigerated cargo services, catering to local businesses such as poultry producers with cold storage needs. Additionally, a nearby foreign trade zone, located within 10 miles of the BRC, will facilitate international cargo movement by allowing for storage, assembly, or manufacturing without immediate duty payments.

This expansion aligns with GPA’s broader rail strategy, which also includes the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) in Northwest Georgia. The ARP set a record with 36,730 rail lifts in Fiscal Year 2024, marking a 9 percent increase over the previous record year. The ARP serves significant accounts, including GE Appliances and Hanwha Qcells, and supports various industries such as automotive components and flooring.

The recent addition of the Carolina Connector service enhances GPA’s rail network by linking the Port of Savannah to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, via CSX rail. This new service provides faster access to cargo for importers and significant reductions in truck transit times for exporters in the Raleigh-Durham area, who can now reach the CSX yard in just 30 minutes compared to the previous three-hour drive to the nearest mid-Atlantic port.