Alabama’s newest member of Congress, Shomari Figures (D-Mobile), has been named to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
In that position, Figures could seek funds for the new Interstate 10 bridge, the “Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project.” The project has been delayed and continues in limbo, mainly due to a lack of funding. The state of Alabama has offered some state dollars, and a small federal grant has been approved, but the amounts fall way short of what is needed.
As a result, the Alabama Department of Transportation and other promoters of the bridge have proposed charging motorists a toll to cross the new bridge. The amount of the toll has not been set in concrete. Even with the toll proposal, the funding for the bridge project is insufficient.
It appears that the best shot at funding the I-10 bridge would be a bi-partisan effort, with Figures and other Democrats joining with the Republican majority and the Trump Department of Transportation.
Figures was also named to the House Agriculture Committee. A post by Mobile Mayor Sandys Stimpson Wednesday congratulated Figures on the appointments:
Speaking of congratulations, U.S. Congressman Shomari Figures was named to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the House Agriculture Committee for the 119th Congress earlier this week. Working on these committees, Congressman Figures will be well-positioned to secure billions of dollars in federal investment for critical infrastructure projects in our region.
I look forward to working closely with him on major initiatives like the new Mobile International Airport, the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, and many other essential infrastructure priorities for the City of Mobile.
1819 News will follow and report progress on funding for the I-10 bridge project.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
