SAVANNAH, Ga., Jan. 22, 2026 – Construction on the Blue Ridge Connector is now 95 percent complete. Georgia Ports’ latest addition to its inland rail network will open for operation later this year.

Among the next steps in the $134 million development will be connection of electrical power service, expected by the end of January. This will allow GPA to fully commission the terminal’s seven all-electric rubber tire gantry cranes in February. The RTGs are completely assembled and have been tested using generators.

“We’re excited to see the progress at our new Gainesville facility, and what it will mean for the State of Georgia,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch. “Having a rail connection in the region will enhance Northeast Georgia as an attractive location for businesses that rely on global logistics.”

Direct rail service via Norfolk Southern between Northeast Georgia and Savannah will provide a new option to a long-haul truck move of around 600 miles roundtrip, reducing highway congestion, cutting emissions and avoiding costly empty container moves to or from the coast.

Because the rail terminal links directly to the Port of Savannah’s extensive global shipping network of 39 ships per week, companies in Northeast Georgia — from poultry producers to manufacturers of heavy equipment and forest products — will be able to move goods to and from international markets with greater efficiency.

By bringing global market access to the doorstep of local businesses, port officials expect the inland terminal to act as a magnet for job creation.

“Our role at Georgia Ports is to support economic development and prosperity across the state,” Lynch said. “Our Appalachian Regional Port has played a key role in attracting firms to Northwest Georgia that choose locations based on logistics infrastructure. The Blue Ridge Connector will do the same for Northeast Georgia.”

Road Improvements Completed

To reduce the new railyard’s traffic impact to local residents, GPA contributed $4.8 million to Hall County projects eliminating an at-grade crossing, rerouting White Sulphur Road and surfacing Cagle Road. The new White Sulphur route south of the inland terminal ensures free access for emergency vehicles and avoids traffic disruption from trains. Cagle Road resurfacing offers an improved alternative for residents. Both projects were completed in late summer 2025.

ABOUT GEORGIA PORTS

Georgia’s Ports in Savannah and Brunswick are strategic gateways and economic engines, creating the most competitive supply chains in the nation with their level of operations, connectivity and supply chain ecosystem. These attributes combined with Georgia’s ranking as the top state to do business for 12 consecutive years create a very unique business model for growth. The Port of Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the U.S. to world markets with 39 ship calls a week, 42 doublestack trains per week and 14,000 truck gate moves daily. The Port of Brunswick is the top U.S. RoRo port for automotive and machinery logistics with over $262 million in recent upgrades and a new $100 million fourth berth being built.  GPA has a self-financed $4.5 billion investment plan for the next ten years which will see five new big ship berths added in Savannah and a fourth berth in Brunswick to meet future growth. In the past decade, GPA has invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure improvements. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million is being donated to port communities to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative. For further information, visit gaports.com or contact Tom Boyd, Chief Communications Officer at [email protected]   912-964-3884.