Port plans include rail line through Yuma

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) - Mexican officials are reviving plans for a deep-water shipping port that could include a rail line through the southwestern Arizona city of Yuma to serve it.

The shipping port would be located on the Baja California coast south of Ensenada.

When the project first became public in 2007, it raised concerns in the Yuma area that it could disrupt local farming and roads and create pollution.

The project came to a halt because of the global economic downturn, but Mexico's Ministry of Communications and Transportation published new bidding specifications this week for companies seeking to build and operate the port and the rail line that would move cargo shipped in from other nations.

The ministry's announcement resurrects one of the proposed routes that would bring the rail line up from Punta Colonet through the Ensenada area, up through San Felipe, Baja Calif., then east to San Luis Rio Colorado in Sonora, where it would turn and cross the border east of Yuma on the way to the United States.

Manuel Baldenebro, mayor of San Luis Rio Colorado, said the rail line passing through his city and neighboring Yuma County would bring to the area new industry.

Yuma County Supervisor Tony Reyes said the rebidding on the port project and accompanying rail line should be seen as a positive development.

``The fact that the project is being reactivated is a positive sign that the economy is improving,'' he said. ``I believe we should view it with an open and receptive mind.''

The Ministry of Communications and Transportation said so far four companies are interested in bidding to develop the port and operate it. Prospective bidders have until Nov. 3 to submit formal interest in bidding on the project.