The State of Alabama dispersed over $40 million to road and bridge projects around the state this week.
This is part of the over $140 million distributed under the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II). According to the Rebuild Alabama Act (RAA), the state must set aside at least $30 million from gas tax revenue to fund ATRIP-II state highway projects.
ATRIP-II was created in 2019. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) website, the program is intended to provide maintenance to and improve the state highway system as it relates to local interests.
Local governments can propose infrastructure funding projects to the ATRIP-II Committee by filling out an application, which requires them to provide certain information, including project plans, the expected impact on economic growth and even “documentation related to racial and ethnic diversity coordination.”
The committee selects the projects to be funded for each fiscal year. Localities are not required to match state funds, but all projects have to move forward within two years of receiving the funds.
This year, ATRIP-II awarded funds to 33 projects in 23 different counties. The county receiving the most money is St. Clair County, which received $4,751,406 to fund three projects, including improvements to I-65 Exit 228 and the intersection of State Road 119 and County Road 22.
A list of other ATRIP-II-funded projects can be found here.
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