The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has ended negotiations with the Mobile Bayway Constructors (MCB) team, causing concern the estimated $4 billion I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project could be delayed. However, ALDOT spokesperson Tony Harris said an Early Works Design agreement with MBC with a March 31 expiration date could ensure the project continues.
MCB was contracted to work on the Bayway portion of the project. Harris said the parties' ending of negotiations was mutual.
ALDOT must now identify the next best proposer to continue negotiations and project development. The design and engineering work that has already been completed will be transferred to ALDOT.
"The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is still moving forward," Harris stated. "Procedurally, ALDOT will follow the steps established by the RFQ/RFP [request for quotation/request for proposal] process and the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge and Tunnel Authority to keep advancing the project, which has not changed in its overall scope."
ALDOT said some issues leading up to the groundbreaking have been acquiring a guaranteed maximum price and finalizing a federal TIFIA loan.
"ALDOT is building the Mobile River Bridge through a design-build process," said ALDOT chief engineer Ed Austin. "This process has served us well and allows us the flexibility needed to make key decisions related to project development. This is another step in our effort to ensure the project can be completed in a timely, safe and cost-effective manner."
"ALDOT is engaged with the U.S. Department of Transportation on the loan process and remains optimistic that a groundbreaking can occur before the end of the year," Harris added.
Harris said more information would be released in the coming weeks.
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