Phase:
Planning

Project Manager:
Deana Brooks, P.E.

Contact Email:
dbrooks@chathamcounty.org

Documents

• No documents attached.

President Street Railroad Crossing Elimination Study at the Interchange of President Street and Truman Parkway

Overview

Chatham County, in coordination with the City of Savannah and the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO), is conducting a study to identify options for the elimination of the railroad crossing on President Street at its intersection with Truman Parkway. The study will evaluate the existing and future traffic volumes and needs and the operation and safety conditions of the interchange to develop alternatives and costs to eliminate the at-grade railroad crossing. The study will consider freight, commuter and local traffic, and pedestrian/bicyclist travelers. The study will also account for current and future land use patterns and anticipated continued growth, especially for the industrial areas east of Truman Parkway.

The goal of the study will be to identify a preferred alternative, project justification statement and estimated cost that can be further developed into a Concept Report and Preliminary Engineering, which are required steps for moving the project to construction.

The results of the study will be used as a basis to apply for future federal funding through the Federal Railroad Administration’s At-Grade Crossing Elimination Program, as well as other sources of federal funds.

Public Involvement

Community engagement is critical to the success of this study as residents, local businesses, industries, and other stakeholders will be able to provide insights that may not be apparent through the examination of data alone. Furthermore, community engagement will ensure that the priorities of the community are documented and incorporated into the recommended preferred alternative.

Please click here to sign up for email updates.

Study Documents and Deliverables

Check back here for additional information as it is available.

Background and Purpose

The industries served by the shortline railroad crossing President Street at its intersection with Truman Parkway continues to expand their operations. The industries cite inadequate space within their railroad terminal to add additional track to reduce the number of blockages. This combination has resulted in longer trains and has increased the frequency of blocked traffic on President Street, particularly during morning and afternoon commuting hours. As such, the study will evaluate alternatives and their associated costs for construction of a grade- separated crossing to eliminate the delays and improve the safety of the crossing.

Complicating the existing, at-grade railroad crossing is the intersection with the Truman Parkway. Elimination of the rail crossing could eliminate delays and improve safety for the average of 40,000 vehicles per day that use this area to get to and from downtown Savannah.

The industries served by this railroad expect annual total truck trips using the President Street/Truman Parkway interchange to more than double by the year 2032. It is imperative that planning starts now to reduce congestion and delays associated with the at-grade rail crossing as well as improve the safety and mobility through the interchange.