Georgia 4 February 18, 2026 by Construction Equipment Guide

Link-Belts Complete Heavy Picks, Work

$1.3B GDOT

Project

Link-Belt crawler cranes are vital to a massive infrastructure renovation issued by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Using a 200-ton 248 HSL and a 150-ton 238 HSL, C.W. Matthews of Marietta, Ga., is the lead construction contractor on the $1.3 billion project.

With plans to build several interchange ramps, collector-distributor lanes and replace nearly 30 bridges around the I-285/I-20 West interchange near Atlanta, the work is estimated to last five years. The Link-Belt machines are busy constructing pier columns, some up to 90 ft. tall, as part of the first phase of a 2,500ft.-long skyway development. The cranes are lifting and placing column forms weighing up to 24,000 lbs. as well as rebar cages to support the build.

C.W. Matthews interchange project manager Mark Dolan said the Link-Belts are perfect for the job.

“The 200- and 150-ton Link-Belts are just ideal machines for highway and bridge work in this market,” Dolan said. “We have a lot of trust in those cranes and the operators when they make those huge picks.”

Ronald Carter, an operator with 50 years of experience at C.W. Matthews, said he loves Link-Belt cranes on account of their reliable operation, strong capacities and versatility.

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Georgia Ports’ Blue Ridge Connector 95 Percent Complete

Construction on the Blue Ridge Connector is now 95 percent complete. Georgia Ports’ latest addition to its inland rail network will open for operation in mid to late 2026.

Among the next steps in the $134 million development will be connection of electrical power service, allowing GPA to fully commission the terminal’s seven all-electric rubber tire gantry cranes in February. The RTGs are completely assembled and have been tested using generators.

“We’re excited to see the progress at our new Gainesville facility, and what

it will mean for the state of Georgia,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch. “Having a rail connection in the region will enhance northeast Georgia as an attractive location for businesses that rely on global logistics.”

Direct rail service via Norfolk Southern between northeast Georgia and Savannah will provide a new option to a long-haul truck move of about 600 mi. roundtrip, reducing highway congestion, cutting emissions and avoiding costly empty container moves to or from the coast.

Because the rail terminal links directly to the Port of Savannah’s extensive global shipping network of 39 ships per week, companies in northeast Georgia — from poultry producers to manufacturers of heavy equipment and forest products — will be able to move goods to and from international markets with greater efficiency.

By bringing global market access to the doorstep of local businesses, port officials expect the inland terminal to act as a magnet for job creation.

Link-Belt Cranes photo

The Link-Belt machines are busy constructing pier columns.

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Link-Belt Cranes Do Heavy Lifting for C.W. Matthews

“These Link-Belt cranes are made dependable,” Carter said. “They can do just about anything you want in terms of lifting materials of all kinds.”

This was prevalent on this job site while handling the formwork and rebar cages, which required a precise operation to “thread the needle” when connecting the cages. In addition, he said these cranes feature supreme cab comfort and visibility to maximize the operator experience.

“I would recommend these cranes because they’re easy to run, they’re comfortable to sit in, and they make your job a whole lot easier,” Carter said. “I enjoy running Link-Belts. I don’t think I’d be here this long if I didn’t.”

Strong Dealer Support

With trusted Link-Belt dealer Atlantic & Southern Equipment’s Atlanta branch located so close to the job, C.W. Matthews can work confidently across phases. Dolan noted the advantage of Link-Belt’s distributor network and its commitment to customer satisfaction.

“Link-Belt cranes are well made, and we get great, dependable service from Atlantic & Southern,” Dolan said. “We can rely on them.”

This sentiment is shared by C.W. Matthews equipment manager John Faress, who noted that C.W. Matthews has used — and relied — on Link-Belt cranes for more than 35 years. He said Atlantic & Southern is top class when it comes to maintaining the machines at work and optimizing his crew’s output.

“With cranes, they’re an expensive capital asset,” Faress

said. “That means we require equipment that is reliable and a dealer that can support us and maximize our uptime.” For more information, visit linkbelt.com. (Article based on C.W. Matthew’s individual experience. Results may vary.) 

Gantry Crane Assembly Complete On Blue Ridge Connector

“Our role at Georgia Ports is to support economic development and prosperity across the state,” Lynch said. “Our Appalachian Regional Port has played a key role in attracting firms to northwest Georgia that choose locations based on logistics infrastructure. The Blue Ridge Connector will do the same for northeast Georgia.”

Road Improvements

To reduce the new railyard’s traffic impact to local residents, GPA contributed $4.8 million to Hall County projects eliminating an at-grade crossing, rerouting White Sulphur Road and surfacing Cagle Road. The new White Sulphur route south of the inland terminal ensures free access for emergency vehicles and avoids traffic disruption from trains. Cagle Road resurfacing offers an improved alternative for residents. Both projects were completed in late summer 2025.

About Georgia Ports

Georgia’s Ports in Savannah and Brunswick are strategic gateways and economic engines, creating the most

competitive supply chains in the nation with their level of operations, connectivity and supply chain ecosystem. These attributes combined with Georgia’s ranking as the top state to do business for 12 consecutive years create a very unique business model for growth.

The Port of Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the United States to world markets with 39 ship calls a week, 42 doublestack trains per week and 14,000 truck gate moves daily. The Port of Brunswick is the top United States RoRo port for automotive and machinery logistics with more than $262 million in recent upgrades and a new $100 million fourth berth being built.

GPA has a self-financed $4.5 billion investment plan for the next ten years which will see five new big ship berths added in Savannah and a fourth berth in Brunswick to meet future growth. In the past decade, GPA has invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure improvements. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million is being donated to port communities to support a multiyear, local workforce housing initiative.

For more information, visit gaports.com. 