Georgia agency awards contract to raise Savannah bridge to accommodate bigger cargo ships
In a significant development for maritime infrastructure, the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced plans for a $189 million project to raise the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah. The project aims to increase the bridge’s clearance, allowing larger cargo ships to navigate underneath and access one of the nation’s busiest seaports. Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. has been selected as the general contractor for the endeavor, and construction is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2025.
The Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge, inaugurated in 1991, spans the Savannah River at the Georgia-South Carolina state line. It plays a crucial role in facilitating the passage of cargo ships to the Port of Savannah, the fourth-busiest port in the United States for containerized cargo. However, concerns have been raised over the bridge’s 185 feet of clearance, potentially hindering its ability to accommodate the increasingly larger classes of cargo ships.
The DOT’s solution involves replacing and shortening the bridge’s massive cables to raise its center span by an additional 20 feet. This adjustment aims to address the evolving needs of the maritime industry and enhance the bridge’s functionality. The DOT anticipates that most of the construction work can be executed without closing the bridge to traffic, ensuring minimal disruption.
Kyle Collins, a spokesperson for the Georgia DOT, expressed confidence in the safety of the planned construction, emphasizing that temporary closures may be necessary during certain phases of the project. The decision to hire a general contractor early in the design phase underscores the DOT’s commitment to consult with experts throughout the planning and execution stages.
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Kiewit Infrastructure South has been awarded $6.5 million for pre-construction services and will provide the DOT with additional construction cost estimates once the final design is completed. The current total cost projection for the project is $189 million.
Griff Lynch, President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, has emphasized the Talmadge Bridge’s significance in accommodating the port’s growth. The authority is investing $1.9 billion to expand cargo handling capacity, making infrastructure upgrades crucial for supporting increased maritime activities.
While the current project focuses on raising the bridge’s clearance, the Georgia DOT is concurrently exploring long-term solutions. Options under consideration include replacing the bridge with an even taller structure or constructing a tunnel to facilitate vehicular traffic beneath the river. The estimated costs for these alternatives could reach $2 billion, as outlined in a September 2022 report.
Despite these infrastructure advancements, the naming of the bridge remains a contentious issue. Named after Eugene Talmadge, a segregationist who served as Georgia’s governor from 1933 to 1942, efforts to rename the bridge have been ongoing. Savannah’s city council and entities such as the Girl Scouts of the USA, founded in Savannah, have advocated for removing Talmadge’s name from the bridge. However, the power to name roads and bridges ultimately rests with Georgia’s state legislature.
As Georgia gears up for this transformative project, the upgraded Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s economic growth and ensuring seamless maritime connectivity.
