SIMIC

CRITICS of a US$1.8 billion container facility in St Bernard reinforce their opposition, emphasizing why they oppose its presence in the parish, reports NBC News.

Meanwhile, state and local authorities are promoting a new report that supports their assertions of potential negative impacts on safety and travel.



In response, the construction firm Port NOLA vehemently rejects the report, labeling it as erroneous and illegitimate.



"First of all, you'll have the big strain on our infrastructure. Truck traffic of over one thousand 18-wheelers a day. I think it's actually over one thousand eight hundred 18-wheelers on our roads. We are not built for this," said State Representative Mike Bayham.



"The further south you can put it, it's going to sell itself and would grow, it would increase manufacturing and warehousing all upriver for the state of Louisiana."



However, Port NOLA says the report is wrong and misleading.



"Do we think the largest ocean carrier in the world and the biggest terminal operator in the country would invest US$800 million in the Louisiana International Terminal without market data? No, that simply would not happen." said Port NOLA press secretary Kimberly Curth.



"I also would like to mention the US Department of Transportation just awarded Port NOLA a $74 million federal grant, that's in addition to major contributions from the state of Louisiana. That clearly reflects complete confidence from the highest levels of government and global maritime leaders in our ability to deliver this state-of-the-art terminal," said Ms Curth.