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The Alabama State Port Authority (Authority) continues
its progress towards construction of a new container and intermodal
terminal at the Port of Mobile. The Alabama State Senate late Monday
night approved an Alabama House of Representatives measure (H.R. 134,
Rep. Yvonne Kennedy - 97th District Mobile), to provide $80 Million to
assist in funding construction of the Choctaw Point Terminal. The
measure now moves to Governor Bob Riley’s desk for signature.
Delivery of the State of Alabama’s $80 Million commitment
will partially fund a total construction cost of approximately $300
Million for the new container and intermodal terminal, which is on
schedule to be completed by mid-year 2007. Funding for the project to
date has been derived from Port Authority revenues. The balance of the
project costs will come from the Authority and a private sector partner
that will be selected this summer. “The private sector partner bids are
scheduled to be open in early July, and should position the Authority to
complete the project in the first half of 2007,” said James K. Lyons,
Director and CEO.
In April, the Authority awarded a $22.3 Million contract
to American Bridge for construction of the terminal's wharf and
bulkhead. Bids are scheduled to be opened on May 26th for the land
reclamation and site stabilization contract. Other construction related
contracts will be placed out for bid later in 2005.
The Alabama State Port Authority received its
environmental permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers in March of
this year. The permits provide for construction of a 2,000 foot
deepwater wharf, a container yard, an intermodal container transfer
facility, with adjoining acreage designated for value added distribution
facilities. The Choctaw Point Terminal, when fully constructed, will
provide container capacity in excess of 600,000 TEUs with expansion
capability.
Alabama State Port Authority (http://www.asdd.com)
operates the State of Alabama’s deepwater port facilities in Mobile,
Ala. The Authority directly employs 548 workers and its facilities
handle more than 24 million tons of cargo each year. Alabama’s full
service seaport handles containers, general cargoes, such as forest
products, frozen meats, and metals, oversized and heavy lift cargoes,
and bulk commodities such as coal and cement. The Authority’s proposed
Choctaw Point Terminal and its general cargo and bulk facilities are
located at the Port of Mobile with immediate access to two interstate
systems, five Class 1 railroads, and nearly 15,000 miles of inland
waterway connections. Mobile! The Real Easy! |
