Mexico's Department of Communications and Transportation has opened the bidding process for construction of a large port at Punta Colonet on the country's Pacific coast.

The request for proposals announced Tuesday is Mexico's official solicitation for bids from companies or consortia seeking to construct and manage a container port and intermodal rail line at tiny Punta Colonet, located about 80 miles south of Ensenada.
    
Mexico envisions a $4-billion, 18-berth port with a capacity of 15 million TEUs a year at full build-out. The developers would also construct a 200-mile rail line with one or two border crossings and connectors to railroads in the United States.

Not included in the bid, but necessary if the port is to be a viable gateway for imports from Asia, is the construction of a city capable of accommodating about 250,000 residents, along with the schools, medical facilities, commercial establishments and roadway infrastructure to support the community.

Mexican transportation authorities are positioning Punta Colonet as an alternative to Los Angeles-Long Beach for U.S. importers and retailers.

The concession will include construction, operation and management of a rail line as well as the construction and management of a commercial container complex with associated marine services.

International marine terminal operating companies as well as the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads in the U.S. have expressed interest in the project. It is possible that international interests would bid in consortia with Mexican partners.

A key requirement for bidders is expected to be the ability to win support from local farmers who own land grants, known as ejidos, in Baja California.

The bidding process and announcement of the winning bidder or consortium could take up to a year.