Noah's Ark Religious Attraction to Open in July

Construction on a Noah's Ark attraction in northern Kentucky is sailing along, and the builders say it will open next year.

Answers in Genesis, the Christian ministry leading the project, announced on Thursday that the attraction will open to visitors July 7, 2016.

The massive, 510-foot-long wooden boat is the $90 million first phase of a planned religious theme park. Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham says work on the bow and stern will begin soon.

The state had awarded an $18 million tax incentive to the project before withdrawing it last year over concerns of "religious indoctrination.'' The ark's builders are suing in federal court to get the incentive back.

Answers in Genesis built the nearby Creation Museum with $27 million in private donations. It opened in 2007.