The Port of Savannah is celebrating completion of a nearly yearlong expansion of its facility for loading and unloading cargo onto trains.

The Georgia Ports Authority and railroad operator Norfolk Southern Corp. planned a ribbon cutting Friday to mark the official opening of the new Mason Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. The expansion adds 6,000 feet of rail to expand capacity and improve efficiency at the site.

The port authority's board approved the $6.5 million project last year and construction began in January. Officials say the expansion was needed to keep up with growing demand for moving cargo to and from the port by rail.

Savannah is home to the nation's fourth-busiest container port. It handled 2.98 million containers of imports and exports in fiscal 2012.

Tags: Port of Savannah, rail line