Thursday at a U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development hearing, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to consider several Alabama priorities, including widening Interstate 65.
Britt cited Trump's 2023 comments regarding the widening of I-65, Alabama's most prominent north-south corridor, which stretches from Interstate 10 in Mobile to the Alabama-Tennessee state line near Ardmore in Limestone County.
"When we're talking about big, beautiful transportation projects that you mentioned, President Trump has made it a priority. He has said publicly that he wants to see I-65 widened," Britt said. "He wants to see it to be a [three] lane road there on each side. He said he was committed to making that happen."
"Look, we know how important that is for our state," she continued. "Anyone who wants to travel in Alabama gets stuck on I-65. However, all of these great people who, during the spring and summer want to come to Alabama's beautiful, white sand Gulf Coast or, maybe even the Florida Panhandle, come right down 65."
"[I] would just like your commitment to continuing to take a look at that," Britt added. "There's no way that project happens without a partnership with the federal government, and [I] want your commitment to making sure that we take a look at what President Trump has promised, and we figure out how to make that happen."
Duffy replied by confirming his interest.
"I would just say the president's priorities are also my priority," he said. "So, yes, I'll take a look at that."
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 [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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