The City of Savannah has been working with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to upgrade the safety of railroad crossings on the Savannah & Old Fort Railroad (SVHO). This rail line runs across several Savannah neighborhoods from I-516 northeast to President’s Street

Project Overview

This project will not require the expenditure of any City funds. The project will be funded through GDOT by the Federal Railway-Highway Crossings (Section 130) Program, which eliminates hazards at railway-highway crossings across the United States. This project is estimated to cost approximately $1.5 million funded through the federal Section 130 Program and will enhance the safety of railroad crossings in Savannah neighborhoods through three primary safety improvement methods;

1. Installation of new crossing gates and lights at five rail crossings,
   • East 39th Street
   • East 35th Street
   • East Park Avenue
   • East Waldburg Street
   • East Bolton Street
2. Installation or upgrade of all safety signage, marking, and striping along the entire rail line, and
3. Closure of two redundant rail crossings with extremely low traffic counts.
   • East 36th Street
   • East 33rd Street

Next Steps

In order for this project to proceed, Savannah City Council must formally approve a Resolution allowing the closure of the two redundant rail crossings located at East 36^th Street and East 33^rd Street. This Resolution is requesting approval of the rail crossing closures.

Staff has began notifying all nearby residents and neighborhood associations of the safety related crossing closures. As we get closer to construction, a more broad public notification plan will take place.

Construction is estimated to begin in January 2021 and be completed in the fall of 2021.

Approval