The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Gov. Kay Ivey
On Friday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $550 million discretionary grant from the Bridge Investment Program to the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project.
The major grant award is believed to be one of the largest federal grants ever received for an Alabama project and is the second-largest in the program’s history. The grant breathes new life to the decades-long project to build a new Interstate 10 Bridge and Bayway connecting Mobile and the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County. The project had appeared to be stalled due to rapidly rising costs and opposition to plans for high tolls to use either the new bridge or the legacy tunnels that motorists use now.
“It is a great day in Alabama! This federal funding will be a game-changer, not just for Mobile and Baldwin Counties, but for our entire state and region,” said Governor Ivey. “This is exactly how our infrastructure dollars should be spent, and I thank the federal government for their recognition of and support for this critical project.”
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, celebrated the news of the $550 million federal investment in the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project. These federal funds are a Bridge Investment Program award.
“This $550 million investment in the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project is a huge win for Alabamians and any American who drives along I-10,” said Senator Britt. “I was proud to help lead Alabama’s entire congressional delegation in support of this well-deserved grant award, and I appreciate Governor Ivey’s continued partnership and the leadership of the MPOs and local officials who have spearheaded this community-driven, crucial project. Returning Alabamians’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars back to our great state is a top priority of mine in the Senate, and I’ll continue fighting to do just that.”
Since taking office in January 2023, Senator Britt has twice led the entire Alabama Congressional delegation in writing USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg advocating on behalf of investing federal funds in this project.
“Since I took office, I have been working to secure funding for the Mobile bridge and get this project underway,” said Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama). “The I-10 bridge is a critical evacuation route for hurricanes and natural disasters and a key economic driver in south Alabama. This crucial grant will help get this project off the ground and benefit every state on the I-10 corridor. I’m grateful that the Department of Transportation exceeded Alabama’s request and recognized the critical importance of this project for the entire country. We look forward to partnering with the Alabama Department of Transportation to get this done.”
The new grant brings the total federal investment in the project to $675 million.
Ed Austin is the Chief Engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).
“We’re thrilled with the federal government’s investment of $550 million to advance the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project,” said Austin in a statement. “This funding allows the project to move forward as ALDOT finalizes the TIFIA loan process. With USDOT’s continued support, as well as the strong support from state and local officials, we are now in a position to break ground on this project as soon as next year.”
“To say we’re grateful that our federal partners are recognizing the project’s national importance is an understatement,” continued Austin. “This decision is a testament to the persistent efforts and dedication of our state, local and congressional leaders who have had numerous meetings and extensive discussions with USDOT, tirelessly advocating for this project. These efforts in Alabama and Washington to highlight the project’s value have been acknowledged, and we appreciate the federal government for partnering with us on this critical project.”
“This has truly been a team effort with Governor Ivey, our ALDOT staff, the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Federal Highway Administration and the USDOT, the members of Alabama Toll Road, Tunnel and Bridge Authority and Alabama’s congressional delegation,” Austin concluded.
Congressman Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) said on the X social media platform, “I’m excited to announce a $550 million federal grant has been awarded for the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project. This project is now one huge step closer to reality, and I’m proud of all the work Team Alabama has accomplished together.”
“I will continue working with Senators Tuberville and Britt, Governor Ivey, and our local leaders to get this project across the finish line,” said Rep. Carl. “What a great day for south Alabama!”
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson is the chair of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization.
“It is hard to overstate how important today’s announcement is for the future of Mobile,” said Stimpson. “This funding is a monumental boost for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, and we are moving full steam ahead. I want to thank the USDOT and the White House for their efforts advancing this project, which benefits everything from daily commuters to hurricane evacuations to the growth of our port and industrial base. I also want to thank Governor Kay Ivey for keeping this project alive over the last few years. Without her unwavering support, we wouldn’t be here today. The benefits of today’s announcement will be felt along the entire I-10 corridor from Florida to California!”
Fairhope City Councilman Jack Burrell is the chair of the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization.
“Baldwin County residents should be thrilled with today’s news,” said Burrell. “This is the most significant day in the project’s history. On behalf of the Eastern Shore MPO, I would like to thank the federal government and the USDOT for their support for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project. The Eastern Shore MPO, our counterparts in Mobile, ALDOT and the governor have all worked tirelessly to advocate for this project and to ensure that it’s built in a way that benefits local residents and addresses national needs. It is a project that deserves federal support like what was announced today, and with the USDOT’s continued support, we can build this bridge soon.”
The $550 million grant will only pay for a fraction of the cost of the ambitious project. The estimated cost for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is actually somewhere between $2.8 to $3.5 billion, significantly more expensive than when a public private partnership proposal for the project was rejected in 2020. Then planners estimated that it could be build for $1.4 billion. The new estimate reflects the significant increases in construction, material and labor prices that have occurred over the last four years.
In December 2021, the MPOs jointly adopted a framework calling for ALDOT to construct a six-lane Mobile River Bridge and a new Bayway, alongside related interchanges in Baldwin and Mobile counties.
Under that plan, the existing causeway, as well as the Wallace and Bankhead tunnels and the Africatown Bridge are expected to all remain toll-free. The current plan calls for the multi-billion dollar bridge to be tolled.
No timetable has been yet released on when construction will begin and be finished. This will be the most expensive bridge project in the history of the state of Alabama – if it is ever built.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Reader Comments(0)