MOBILE, Alabama – Work on the Airbus Alabama assembly line has reached a significant construction milestone, with the entire “skeleton” of the first building at the aviation giant’s Mobile Aeroplex complex now visible.

Days ago, Hoar Program Management, the Birmingham-based firm overseeing the construction project, said the last support truss was placed atop the roof of the Final Assembly Line Hangar, the first structure to rise at the site. The important milestone was reached less than 10 months after Airbus held a groundbreaking ceremony at its Alabama home.

The moment was celebrated with members of the construction crew and the project team signing the final truss before it was lifted into position on the structure.

Airbus, which is building its first North American passenger jet manufacturing center in Alabama, selected Hoar Program Management to manage all aspects of the design and construction of the facility. Hoar Program Management’s duties also include supporting procurement of design and construction service providers and suppliers.

The Final Assembly Line Hangar is the facility where the company’s A320 family aircraft will be assembled. Hoar Program Management said construction contracts for the other buildings in the complex will be awarded soon.

According to Airbus’ timeline, aircraft assembly is scheduled to begin in Alabama in 2015, with first deliveries from the Mobile facility beginning in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 single-aisle jet aircraft per year by 2018.

Toulouse, France-based Airbus is investing $600 million in the Mobile Aeroplex production center, where it will employ 1,000 workers. The Alabama Department of Commerce and Mobile area economic developers are working to attract suppliers and service providers to the facility.

This video from Airbus shows the Alabama plant taking shape in a 3-D animation.

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