No "Port of Atlanta" (Columbus, Fairburn: buy, train, trailer)

[MathmanMathman]

I remember years ago there was talk of making a "Port of Atlanta" by building a series of locks up the Chattahoochee. I thought the idea was crazy but I learned that it was possible. If nothing else, it would make some larger bodies of water near Atlanta and it would no longer be "landlocked".

But that doesn't seem likely now.

Corps of Engineers curtailing Chattahoochee River lock operations | www.ajc.com

Barge traffic along the Chattahoochee that was hoped for didn't happen. A commercial vessel hasn't passed through a lock in 3 years and Columbus hasn't seen a barge since 2000. Besides, keeping the water for Atlanta's drinking supply is probably better than for floating a few barges.

[Iconographer]

Oh, ya know. You open up a port here and the the next thing ya know all those barges are rolling down here from Helen.

[FlyiMetro]

There is a port of Atlantaa....its called Hartsfield Jackson...be satisfied. You can't have everything goshhhhh!

[Newsboy]

Because of the Fall Line, there never could have been a "port of Atlanta." Columbus is as far north as any barge traffic could EVER be navigable on the Chattahoochee.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Because of the Fall Line, there never could have been a "port of Atlanta." Columbus is as far north as any barge traffic could EVER be navigable on the Chattahoochee.

But maybe with locks and a series of lakes...

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Because of the Fall Line, there never could have been a "port of Atlanta." Columbus is as far north as any barge traffic could EVER be navigable on the Chattahoochee.

well, that was the point— they were figuring on dredging out the chattahoochee and using a lock system. seriously, though, i thought this idea had been canned decades ago.

what we really need to rely on is a deepening of the port of savannah, with direct rail access to atlanta and hartsfield-jackson, that should provide a cheaper and more efficient solution.

There is a port of Atlantaa....its called Hartsfield Jackson...be satisfied.

yeah, but try fitting this on a plane:



heavy cargo coming in from asia, africa and europe can't be flown, it has to be brought in on ships. what they do with it when they get here can either be rail, which is more efficient but less flexible, or tractor-trailer trucks, which are terribly inefficient but have to do when rail is not available. if we had a large train depot in atlanta just for unloading cargo, it'd do wonders for the local economy.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

well, that was the point— they were figuring on dredging out the chattahoochee and using a lock system. seriously, though, i thought this idea had been canned decades ago.

what we really need to rely on is a deepening of the port of savannah, with direct rail access to atlanta and hartsfield-jackson, that should provide a cheaper and more efficient solution.



yeah, but try fitting this on a plane:



heavy cargo coming in from asia, africa and europe can't be flown, it has to be brought in on ships. what they do with it when they get here can either be rail, which is more efficient but less flexible, or tractor-trailer trucks, which are terribly inefficient but have to do when rail is not available. if we had a large train depot in atlanta just for unloading cargo, it'd do wonders for the local economy.

Well, we do have four major intermodal rail yards, Hulsey near Grant Park, Inman Yard northwest of Atlanta, Fairburn, and Austell. Rails already run right next to Hartsfield, making the connection would require someone wanting the connection.

[AcidSnake]

It's too bad that the border with Tennessee issue wasn't pursued further by former Gov Purdue and his motley band of political brigands at the capitol.

Georgia lawmakers eye Tennessee River?s water - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Making an attempt to draw upon the Tennessee river for water was actually one of the better ideas that the bubbas came up with, I'd have to admit. Maybe if they weren't so busy trying to play (or replay) "civil war" with the Feds on so many other nonsensical issues, Georgia actually could've gained a solid ally in that potential fight with the state of Tennessee.

By drawing upon Tennessee's river for water, it would've gone a looooong way to solving Atlanta's water issues, and ultimately free up more water resources for allowing the water barges on the Chattahoochee.

Just another example of the many missed opportunities that slips through Georgia's fingers, I guess.

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

I remember years ago there was talk of making a "Port of Atlanta" by building a series of locks up the Chattahoochee. I thought the idea was crazy but I learned that it was possible. If nothing else, it would make some larger bodies of water near Atlanta and it would no longer be "landlocked".

But that doesn't seem likely now.

Corps of Engineers curtailing Chattahoochee River lock operations | www.ajc.com

Barge traffic along the Chattahoochee that was hoped for didn't happen. A commercial vessel hasn't passed through a lock in 3 years and Columbus hasn't seen a barge since 2000. Besides, keeping the water for Atlanta's drinking supply is probably better than for floating a few barges.

[FlyiMetro]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

well, that was the point— they were figuring on dredging out the chattahoochee and using a lock system. seriously, though, i thought this idea had been canned decades ago.

what we really need to rely on is a deepening of the port of savannah, with direct rail access to atlanta and hartsfield-jackson, that should provide a cheaper and more efficient solution.



yeah, but try fitting this on a plane:



heavy cargo coming in from asia, africa and europe can't be flown, it has to be brought in on ships. what they do with it when they get here can either be rail, which is more efficient but less flexible, or tractor-trailer trucks, which are terribly inefficient but have to do when rail is not available. if we had a large train depot in atlanta just for unloading cargo, it'd do wonders for the local economy.

Bryant! Dude I know that man...Atlanta just needs to stay in its lane, let the major cities with Atlantic & Pacific Ocean access handle the US shipping needs, doesn't Norfolk Southern have a large presense here in Atlanta? I think they have more yards than CSX. You people always want too much.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

It's too bad that the border with Tennessee issue wasn't pursued further by former Gov Purdue and his motley band of political brigands at the capitol.

Georgia lawmakers eye Tennessee River?s water - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Making an attempt to draw upon the Tennessee river for water was actually one of the better ideas that the bubbas came up with, I'd have to admit. Maybe if they weren't so busy trying to play (or replay) "civil war" with the Feds on so many other nonsensical issues, Georgia actually could've gained a solid ally in that potential fight with the state of Tennessee.

By drawing upon Tennessee's river for water, it would've gone a looooong way to solving Atlanta's water issues, and ultimately free up more water resources for allowing the water barges on the Chattahoochee.

Just another example of the many missed opportunities that slips through Georgia's fingers, I guess.

Drawing on the Tennessee River is still a need for Atlanta's future. We might have to negotiate and buy it from Tennessee if our border claim is deemed void due some sort of statute of limitations. But it looks as if Chattahoochee River barge traffic is dead so releasing more water to elevate river levels for what few barges we might attract would be a waste.