Georgia Ports: $134M Rail Terminal Nears Completion, Set for 2026

Georgia Ports Authority’s $134M Blue Ridge Connector rail terminal nears completion, offering direct Norfolk Southern service and converting truck freight to rail, easing congestion.

January 23, 2026 3:39 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) $134M Blue Ridge Connector inland rail terminal is 95% complete, with operations slated to begin in 2026.
The facility will feature seven all-electric gantry cranes and direct Norfolk Southern service, replacing a 600-mile round-trip truck haul for shippers.
The project aims to convert truck freight to rail, directly addressing regional highway congestion as Georgia proposes a separate $1.8B I-75 expansion.

HALL COUNTY, GA – The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) reports its $134 million Blue Ridge Connector inland terminal is now 95% constructed, positioning it to begin operations later this year. The facility will provide a direct Norfolk Southern Railway link from northeast Georgia to the Port of Savannah, a strategic move to capture more freight as U.S. intermodal rail volumes recently saw a 4.4% year-over-year increase, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project Name	Blue Ridge Connector
Total Budget	$134 million
Key Stakeholders	Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Norfolk Southern Railway (NS)
Core Equipment	7 all-electric rubber tire gantry (RTG) cranes
Strategic Route	Connects Port of Savannah to Northeast GA, bypassing a ~600-mile round-trip truck route
Project Status	95% complete; Operations to begin in 2026

Operational & Technical Details

Construction progress places the project on track for a 2026 launch. GPA will connect electrical power by the end of January, enabling the commissioning of the terminal’s seven all-electric rubber tire gantry cranes to begin in February. The direct NS service will give regional shippers access to the Port of Savannah’s 39 weekly vessel calls and two on-dock rail yards. The use of all-electric cranes reflects a broader industry trend toward reducing emissions and improving sustainability at port facilities nationwide.

Market Impact Analysis

The Blue Ridge Connector is strategically timed to absorb rising intermodal demand and offer a crucial alternative to highway freight. The project’s primary function is to convert the 600-mile round-trip truck journey into a more efficient single rail move. This directly addresses Georgia’s severe road congestion, which has prompted the governor to propose a $1.8 billion plan to add express lanes to Interstate 75. By extending its rail reach inland, GPA strengthens the Port of Savannah’s competitive advantage, allowing shippers to reduce transit costs, improve reliability, and lower their carbon footprint.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main value of this project?

The $134 million terminal creates a direct rail link from northeast Georgia to the Port of Savannah, offering an efficient alternative to a 600-mile round-trip truck route to improve supply chain flow.

When is the expected completion date?

The terminal is 95% complete. Initial operations are scheduled to begin later in 2026, following the commissioning of cranes in February. A final full opening date has not been announced.