(The Center Square) – Construction of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project win Alabama will be assisted by a grant to the state of $550 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The project seeks to build a new Interstate 10 bridge over the Mobile River in downtown Mobile to relieve congestion in the Wallace Tunnel and expand the bayway that crosses the northern part of Mobile Bay.
Estimates for the project range from $2.5 billion to $3.8 billion and part of the funding is supposed to come from tolls, a subject that has created controversy on both sides of the bay.
The bayway is carrying nearly 70,000 vehicles per day according to Transportation Department data, double the original capacity of 36,000.
The funds are part of a federal bridge grant program created in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
“It is a great day in Alabama!” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a release. “This federal funding will be a gamechanger, not just for Mobile and Baldwin counties, but for our entire state and region. This is exactly how our infrastructure dollars should be spent, and I thank the federal government for their recognition of and support for this critical project.”
The project would build a 2.5-mile-long cable stayed, six-lane bridge crossing the Mobile River and would construct 7.5 miles of new bridges with eight lanes over the bay. These new bridges would be constructed above the 100-year storm surge level.
Seven interchanges would be reconstructed or modified under the project.
In a news release, Transportation Department Chief Engineer Ed Austin said the agency was thrilled with the grant for the project. He said it allows them to move forward with seeking a loan from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act.
“With USDOT’s continued support, as well as the strong support from state and local officials, we are now in a position to break ground on this project as soon as next year,” Austin said. “To say we’re grateful that our federal partners are recognizing the project’s national importance is an understatement.
“This decision is a testament to the persistent efforts and dedication of our state, local and congressional leaders who have had numerous meetings and extensive discussions with USDOT, tirelessly advocating for this project.”
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson is the chairman of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization. He said in a news release that the benefits of today’s announcement will be felt along the entire Interstate 10 corridor from Florida to California
“It is hard to overstate how important today’s announcement is for the future of Mobile,” Stimpson said. “This funding is a monumental boost for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, and we are moving full steam ahead.”
