VIDALIA — The next step in a Vidalia plan, decades in the making, now hinges on Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature.

The Louisiana Legislature awarded the Vidalia Port $10 million as a part of House Bill 2 — the capital outlay budget. The funds are critical to beginning the next phase of construction, Economic Development Director Heather Malone said Friday.

Listed in the capital outlay budget — a reoccurring bill that provides cities with money for long-term projects — is $10 million for the construction of a port in Vidalia. Of the $10 million, $5 million is priority 1 — available for immediate use — and $5 million is listed as priority 5.

The amount of priority 1 money increased from $1 million in an early draft of the bill to $2 million before eventually being finalized at $5 million.

Port Director Wyly Gilfoil attributed the increase to the efforts of local legislators District 21 Rep. Andy Anders, D-Vidalia and Sen. Neil Riser, R-Columbia.

Despite their efforts, Jindal can line-item veto any project. The state bond commission must also review House Bill 2. If no action is taken before Aug. 15, the bill becomes law as is.

Gilfoil said he is confident Vidalia will receive the priority 1 money this year. He is unsure about priority 5.

Projects in the bill are rated from priority 1, which are first in line for funding, to priority 5, which will be funded later. A project may have previously been approved, but is later vetoed or has not received funding.

Gilfoil is currently wrapping up the permitting process in preparation for the capital outlay funding.

The Vidalia Port requires permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 5th Louisiana Levee District and the Federal Highway Administration before construction can begin.

“We are currently finishing the permitting process and will soon open the bidding process for construction,” Gilfoil said. “I’m hoping to begin construction in October.”

The next phase of construction will extend the port’s access road to the river bank, add a cargo ramp and raise the road above the river level.

Gilfoil estimated the next phase of construction —phase 2B — will cost $2 to $3 million, funded through a combination of local, capital outlay and Federal Highway Administration funds.

“Once we finish what we are calling phase 2A, we will be functional but to a bare minimum,” Malone said.

Phase 2B includes a covered dump site and a pile-supported conveyer, which allows trucks to load dry goods.

Malone and Gilfoil said they expect both parts of phase 2 to be completed by fall 2014.

“It is going to be a great addition to the City of Vidalia and the industrial park,” Malone said. “It’s also a bonus when industry is looking at moving to the city.”

After the second phase is complete, Malone estimates the city will have $6 million in capital outlay funds left. Though, Gilfoil estimate the conveyor to cost $9 million alone.

Leftover money will be used in phase 3 — digging a slackwater slip. Malone said the slip is designed to eliminate the effect of the Mississippi River’s current on port operators.

“It’s beneficial because it allows incoming barges to not worry about the river’s current,” she said.

But when barges will begin using the port is unclear.

“We hope to be fully operational by fall 2014, if all goes as planned,” Gilfoil said. “That will include up to phase 2B. Ultimately, we hope to handle half a million to one million tons in goods.”