The Georgia Ports Authority’s Blue Ridge Connector inland port project in Gainesville, Ga. is well underway.
It is expected to be pivotal in enhancing transportation and trade opportunities in the Northeast Georgia region.
The GPA gave an update on the project at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s Logistics Forum. Syfan Logistics was a sponsor of the event.
Illustration of how the Blue Ridge Connector will look.
The construction of the connector, located on White Sulphur Road less than 10 miles from Syfan Logistics headquarters, should be completed in early 2026.
“The new inland port will strengthen the state’s logistics infrastructure and support economic growth in our region,” Syfan Logistics CEO Jim Syfan said.
Once completed in early 2026, the inland port will establish a vital link between the Northeast Georgia region and the port of Savannah’s extensive network of 36 global container ship services. The Norfolk Southern rail line will transport freight to the site, where it will then be transferred onto trucks for final delivery to Atlanta.
The Blue Ridge Connector will encompass a 104-acre terminal area, featuring 18,000 feet of tracks and 14 gantry cranes. This will allow the inland port to handle 200,000 containers annually.
In addition to its economic benefits, the connector is expected to have a positive environmental impact. By 2054, the GPA estimates that the port will have saved approximately one billion miles that would have been driven by trucks, reduced truck use from 7 hours to less than 30 minutes and avoided a staggering 1.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This reduction in emissions will contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for the region.
The Blue Ridge Connector project is estimated to generate nearly 63,000 jobs within the Northeast Georgia region, with an estimated 9,682 jobs directly impacting Hall County.
The Blue Ridge Connector’s completion will not only enhance trade capabilities but also reduce transportation costs, alleviate traffic congestion on state roads, and foster sustainable growth in the region.