A new study took a close look at traffic, delays, and safety concerns at the East President Street railroad crossing near Truman Parkway in Savannah. The study examined how many vehicles pass through, how long travel times are, how often congestion occurs, and past crash data. It also considers nearby utilities and environmental factors. These details help create possible solutions to make the crossing safer, reduce delays, and choose the best option for improvement.

The study found building a bridge or an underpass at the railroad crossing would improve traffic flow. This option would separate the road from the train tracks, improving safety and traffic flow while keeping Savannah’s historic character in mind. East President Street is a busy road that connects downtown Savannah to businesses, factories, and neighborhoods in eastern Chatham County. However, problems arise because of the nearby Truman Parkway ramps and unexpected train blockages causing backups and even crashes.

At first, the study looked at nine different solutions—six focusing on roads and three on railways. Experts used specialized traffic software to analyze how each option would work. Based on their findings, they designed three possible solutions. After gathering feedback from the public and experts, and analyzing costs and benefits, they chose Alternative 3—the Green-T Trumpet Interchange—as the best long-term solution.

The study recommends moving forward with this Green-T Trumpet Interchange plan, working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and local leaders. This plan is designed to handle future traffic increases while supporting new developments like Eastern Wharf and President Square. It also improves overall traffic flow and safety with a design that takes up minimal space and includes features for pedestrians and different types of transportation.

This $80 million solution will not likely begin construction for 5-10 years as the project will move into environmental and engineering studies. In the meantime, Chatham County will look at a short-term solution of adding another westbound lane in between the Truman Parkway Ramps.

For more information on this project and the final report for the study click here.