Katie Britt attends DOT event celebrating a $550 million grant to help the state build the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project

MOBILE, Ala., July 29, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) attended and delivered remarks at an event celebrating the U.S. Department of Transportation's $550 million grant for the controversial I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project. USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hosted the event to celebrate Alabama as a recipient of this competitive grant. Britt was joined by Governor Kay Ivey (R), Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Fairhope City Councilman Jack Burrell, Congressman Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), and FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt at the event.

"I was honored to attend a celebration for the newly secured $550 million federal investment in the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project," Sen. Britt said in a statement. "This critical infrastructure will help tens of thousands of Alabamians commute to work and school every day, provide a safe route for communities to visit family, and enhance the ability of small businesses and local industries to sell their goods, products, and supplies far and wide," said Senator Britt. "I am thankful for the leadership of Governor Ivey, ALDOT Director Cooper, Mayor Stimpson, the Mobile and Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organizations and other local officials, and my colleagues in Alabama's congressional delegation who joined me in securing this competitive grant that will benefit our great state. This is a strategic investment in true infrastructure that supports commerce, our economy, and the people who live in and visit Alabama the Beautiful. This is how federal transportation and infrastructure funds should be spent, and I am proud we worked together to bring these Alabama taxpayer dollars home."

"It was an honor to be with Team Alabama today in Mobile to discuss the $550 million grant for the I-10 Bridge and Bayway Project," said Rep. Carl.

"It is hard to overstate how important today's announcement is for the future of Mobile," said Mayor Stimpson. "This funding is a monumental boost for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, and we are moving full steam ahead. I am proud to be a part of this effort and look forward to getting this project underway!"

"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."

The grant breathes new life to the stalled effort to build a new Interstate 10 Bridge and Bayway connecting Mobile and the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County. The project has faced rapidly rising costs and opposition to the high tolls to use either the new bridge or the legacy tunnels that motorists use now.

Senator Britt (R-Alabama) is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The $550 million federal investment in the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project are Bridge Investment Program dollars.

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.

"The I-10 bridge is a critical evacuation route for hurricanes and natural disasters and a key economic driver in south Alabama," said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) in a statement. "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.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson is the chair of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization.

"This funding is a monumental boost for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, and we are moving full steam ahead," said Mayor Stimpson. "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.

"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," said Chairman Burrell. "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. The state, local governments, and motorists will have to pay the rest of the bill. Much of this will likely be paid for with the sale of bonds and will be paid back through future tolls. Many questions remain about how this will be financed going forward.

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