On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded a $550 million discretionary grant for the long-awaited Interstate Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, the second-largest grant ever awarded from the Bridge Investment Program.
Over $40 billion was allocated for the Bridge Investment Program, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021.
Upon the announcement of the award, Gov. Kay Ivey, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) immediately touted the news.
Also playing a role in the grant were U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), the Republican nominee for the first congressional district, which will soon include parts of Mobile County and all of Baldwin County.
"This $550 million investment in the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project is a major victory for the Gulf Coast and the state of Alabama," Moore said in a statement. "I am grateful to Congressman Carl, Senator Britt, Senator Tuberville, Governor Ivey and the entire Alabama delegation for their support on this issue. This grant will return taxpayer dollars back to Alabamians to improve transportation infrastructure in the entire state, region, and nation. We look forward to getting this project over the finish line."
Tuberville emphasized the project's importance to public safety in his statement.
“Since I took office, I have been working to secure funding for the Mobile bridge and get this project underway,” Tuberville said. “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.”
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), the Alabama delegation's lone Democrat, used the announcement to take a shot at her in-state Capitol Hill colleagues.
Sewell was the only "yes" vote for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which, at the time of passage, had a price tag of $1.2 trillion.
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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