SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is investing $29 million in an overpass project aimed at minimizing traffic from impacting local neighborhoods.
The overpass would allow truck drivers direct access from Ocean Terminal to U.S. Route 17, avoiding Louisville Road and local streets.
The GPA said the decision was made after hearing concerns from communities near Ocean Terminal about the impact of increased truck traffic.
“This is a port project in the best interest of the community,” said GPA president and CEO Griff Lynch.
“We want to keep trucks off local neighborhood roads for safety and sustainability reasons,” he added.
Along with the overpass and entrance ramp construction to Route 17, the GPA said they will also build a dedicated exit ramp from Route 17 and a new truck-only entrance roadway into Ocean Terminal designed for enhanced safety and traffic operations for the public.
The project is the outcome of a joint effort among the GPA, the city of Savannah and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).