The Port of Savannah has opened the Brampton Road Connector, the final element in a series of infrastructure projects designed to ease truck congestion at one of the busiest U.S. container ports. The four-lane highway, described as a large offramp, will link gate 3 at the port’s Garden City terminal directly to Interstate 516, according to a port spokesman.
Project scope and cost
The Brampton Road Connector cost $126 million and is a four-lane highway that provides a direct connection between the port gate and the interstate. Previously, trucks used a combination of Highway 25 and Brampton Road, which involved crossing railroad tracks, multiple turns, and mixing with local traffic, the spokesman said. The new connector uses previously unused right-of-way land, so it does not impact existing roads or buildings.
“Improving the mobility of freight traffic from the port and increasing safety for motorists on local streets are key goals for this project,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry in a prepared statement. “The Brampton Road Connector accomplishes both simultaneously.”
Part of a larger program
The Brampton Road Connector is described as the “final piece” of a multi-step effort. Other completed projects include:
| Project | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Deloach Parkway | $129 million | Limited-access truck route between I-95 and I-16 |
| I-16/I-95 interchange rebuild | $295 million | Improves safety and flow of commuters and cargo |
| Highway 307 overpass | $22.5 million | Takes traffic over the Mason Mega Rail Terminal |
| Grange Road upgrade | $14.2 million | Provides better truck access between Jimmy Deloach Parkway and Garden City terminal |
Operational impact
The Port of Savannah handles approximately 15,000 truck moves per day, according to the spokesman. The new connector is expected to reduce travel time and improve safety by diverting trucks off local roads. For freight forwarders and logistics managers moving cargo through the Garden City terminal, this means faster turn times and fewer delays from rail crossings and traffic signals.
Shipper implications
With the connector open, drayage operators can now move containers between the port and I-516 without navigating Brampton Road or Highway 25. This should reduce fuel costs and driver hours of service consumption. The port’s overall truck throughput capacity is also enhanced, supporting continued volume growth. The project aligns with the Georgia Ports Authority’s strategy to improve landside connectivity, complementing rail expansions like the Mason Mega Rail Terminal.
Watch list
- Further infrastructure developments at the Port of Savannah, including potential deepening of the harbor or new terminal expansions.
- Monitoring of truck turn times at Garden City terminal to quantify the connector’s impact.
- Potential ripple effects on local road congestion as truck routes shift to the new connector.
- Any additional state or federal funding for port-related infrastructure in Georgia.
For now, the completion of the Brampton Road Connector marks a significant milestone in easing truck traffic at one of America’s fastest-growing container ports.
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