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Updated: 10:20 AM Feb 26, 2008
A Container Port at Aiken-Augusta
The Savannah River was used for navigation for many years. Here's one viewer's argument that that should be the case again. Posted: 4:57 PM Feb 25, 2008Reporter: Richard Rogers Email Address: richard.rogers@wrdw.com |
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5 Comments 
Makes good sense to push waterway use, even though government taxes and fees would eat up any savings. Problem is workers at the truck plants and truck drivers all vote, so unless everything falls apart, don't hold your breath for great progress in our waterway commercial use.
I actually started researching this in 2006 (not to the depth of David) for a class I was taking but never pursued it. As an Augusta native, I also felt that it would be good for Augusta. I am currently in the Army and have some port experience. The complicated part that needs to be figured out,in my opinion, is the location of the port, the costs of constructing the port, the labor union that will do the work, port management I would assume would fall under the GA Ports Authority. Another issue is the costs of handling containers multiple times. Currently containers can be offloaded from container ships directly to an awaiting truck and sent to destination. I could be wrong, but I think if you move by barge the container will be handled several times before it gets to destination (from the ship to the ground, ground to barge, barge to ground, ground to truck). Every time that container is moved, someone is paying for it. Running out of room, would love to work on this project.
We don't normally archive national health stories on our website. You can read about that Alzheimer's story here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105556.htm
Please help! Last week on the noonday news, a story alzsheimer's aired. Would you tell me how to locate that article.
The numbers in that story are made up. It claims that each truck right now is taking 6 loads from Augusta to Savannah per day and that is impossible. Also, there are bridges. Are they sufficient for a barge loaded with containers to pass under? How much would a dredge project cost taxpayers to deepen the river channel for barges and maintain it? Where are they going to put all of the silt that is dredged from the river? It will be a LARGE amount of silt, a literal mountain of dirt, enough to fill the civic center 5 times. This is all a dream, it will be a monumental effort to incorporate. Of course, the government will be all for it since it gives them job security for the next 20 years of work to make the river navigatable to a large ship.