Alabama’s governor signs bill funding Mobile terminal

AlabamaÆs governor signs bill funding Mobile terminal    Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has signed a supplemental appropriation bill backed by the Alabama State Port Authority to provide $80 million for construction of a container and intermodal terminal at the port of Mobile.
   'With each passing day, we see more and more demand for container services to move consumer goods, parts and manufactured products in and out of U.S. markets,' Riley told a gathering of business executives and maritime workers in Mobile.
   The state's appropriation, in part, will go toward construction costs of the new terminal, which is estimated to be $300 million. The balance of the cost will come from port authority revenue and a private-sector partner that will be selected this summer.
   Work has already begun at the site with the award of a $22.3 million contract to American Bridge in April to construct the terminal's wharf and bulkhead. The facility is due to be completed by mid-2007.