SRR: Superior Court Affirms Public Service Commission Ruling on Hanson Spur

SPARTA, Ga., Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week the Fulton County Superior Court upheld prior decisions by a Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) Hearing Officer and the full PSC to grant Sandersville Railroad Company's petition to acquire small strips of real estate by eminent domain that the railroad needs to construct the Hanson Spur in Hancock County. 

"We are pleased with Judge Craig Schwall's ruling and his determination that the Hanson Spur serves a public use for Middle Georgia," said Sandersville Railroad President Ben J. Tarbutton, III. "We understand some of the property owned by the Smith family is special to them given their heritage, and we regret that they may have felt that our initial offers, based on independent appraisals, were not adequate. We would welcome the opportunity to re-engage in meaningful conversations about how both the landowners and Hancock County can benefit from the Hanson Spur."

Judge Schwall affirmed the PSC's finding that the project is a necessary accommodation of Sandersville's business connecting industries to rail. The Hanson Spur will connect local businesses, farmers, loggers, and timberland owners in Middle Georgia to markets that are exclusively or best served by CSXT. At this point, three independent rulings have stated that the Hanson Spur is a critical infrastructure project that will open new channels of trade for local businesses and serve the functioning of the railroad. The Spur will have a minimal impact on local residents and will reduce truck traffic to the nearby Hanson Quarry.

All property owners will be fully compensated for any land acquired using eminent domain. The pieces of land Sandersville seeks to acquire are narrow strips of property through mostly pasture and timberland, comprising only 2 to 7 percent of the property owners' parcels. No homes are to be condemned.

Sandersville Railroad has taken numerous steps to ensure the safety and well-being of both the environment and the community. Throughout the planning of the Hanson Spur project, the goal has been to minimize disruption to local residents while providing needed infrastructure. The train's schedule, installation of sound reducing berms and strategic landscaping, and route design are all carefully planned to protect adjacent communities and the environment.

The Hanson Spur will serve several area customers, including Heidelberg Materials, Pittman Construction, Veal Farms Transload, Revive Millings, and Southern Chips. It will offer local businesses, farmers, loggers and timberland owners access to new customers and markets previously beyond their reach.

For more information about the Hanson Spur and its benefits, please visit: https://www.sandersvillerailroad.com/hanson-spur-project

About the Sandersville Railroad Company
The Sandersville Railroad Company is a privately held shortline railroad in Sandersville, Georgia. Established in 1893, the railroad has a long history of providing excellent freight service to Washington County. The 130-year-old company maintains ten miles of mainline track and five miles of branch lines as well as six locomotive engines and more than 700 railcars that service key industries in Middle Georgia. Sandersville Railroad is the single largest kaolin rail originator in the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.sandersvillerailroad.com/

SOURCE The Sandersville Railroad Company