Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Brunswick, Ga., released an ambitious capital improvement plan for Brunswick terminals. 

“In order to ensure efficient processing of cargo, our capacity must remain higher than current demand,” says Curtis Foltz, executive director. “To that end, we will be improving Brunswick facilities serving each of our major business sectors here, including automotive, breakbulk and bulk cargo.”

Over the past decade, the GPA has spent $46.2 million on infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Brunswick. Over the next 10 years, the authority plans to more than triple that investment, calling for another $152 million in improvements.

In one of those projects, the GPA intends to add a fourth berth to serve roll-on/roll-off cargo at Colonel’s Island Terminal, with construction slated for 2016.

“Served by eight ocean carriers, Colonel’s Island Terminal offers three modern Ro/Ro berths and four on-terminal auto processors, handling cargo for more than 60 auto and heavy machinery manufacturers,” says Jimmy Allgood, vice chairman. “With 696 acres in use and 641 acres permitted for expansion on Colonel’s Island, GPA can easily accommodate additional Ro/Ro business.”

The GPA is also currently preparing 40 acres on the south side of Colonel’s Island to be pad ready for new port customers.

Fiscal year 2016 projects include additional earthwork on the south side of Colonel's Island, the first phase of a berth upgrade at Mayor's Point, East River Terminal improvements, continued upgrades at the Colonel's Island agribulk facility and the next phase of the Anguilla Junction Rail Yard expansion, which includes an additional 8,470 feet of track, a 28% increase, to provide a total of 39,039 feet of track. The rail yard is also being improved to better handle export automobiles built in Alabama, Tennessee and Indiana.

“Another important infrastructure improvement is the maintenance dredging that must be funded by the federal government,” adds James Walters, chairman. “While the president has included $5.8 million in his budget proposal for FY2016, Congress has yet to pass an Energy and Water Appropriations Bill at this time. Securing sufficient funding for Brunswick harbor maintenance is our top priority right now.”