The trestle to the Colonels Island facility caught fire Monday. Authority spokesman Robert Morris says two rail cars carrying new Alabama-built Mercedes-Benz automobiles to the terminal burned, destroying all 16 autos.

Morris says the trestle should be open to rail traffic by 5 p.m. Wednesday, with complete repairs taking another two weeks.

The trestle over the Fancy Bluff Creek and marsh is the sole rail connection to the shipping terminal. The Colonels Island terminal specializes in motor vehicles, heavy equipment and bulk grain.

Federal authorities are assisting state and local investigators in determining the cause of the fire.