By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, July 26, US Representative Bradley Byrne today celebrated news that the City of Mobile will receive a $14,465,044 TIGER discretionary grant from the Federal Department of Transportation for the “One Mobile” project, which will reconstruct Broad and Beauregard Streets.
Congressman Byrne said, “I am so pleased to report that the City of Mobile will be receiving a substantial grant to help support transportation needs in our area. This grant was made possible thanks to the new highway bill passed by Congress last year and our continued relationship building with the Federal Department of Transportation.”
Rep. Byrne said, “My hats off to Mayor Sandy Stimpson and other local leaders for continuing to push hard in support of this project that will make a real difference for the City of Mobile and all of Southwest Alabama.”
Mayor Stimpson said in a statement, “The US Department of Transportation has awarded the City of Mobile a $14.5 million grant to rebuild aging infrastructure, connect citizens to jobs and revitalize historic neighborhoods. This award is the result of a tremendous effort by our city staff in collaboration with our State and federal partners. This project will connect citizens from the transportation hub on Water Street to homes in neighborhoods to jobs at Brookley Aeroplex to recreation on the Three Mile Creek Greenway.”
Mayor Stimpson also announced Monday that he is, “Sponsoring a resolution on tomorrow’s City Council agenda in support of the restoration of a passenger rail service extending from New Orleans, Louisiana to Orlando, Florida. A Gulf Coast passenger rail service will facilitate job creation, enhance tourism and reduce environmental and roadway impacts. This service will not only connect cities across the Gulf Coast, but will also link Mobile to the Midwest, West Coast and across the nation. It will benefit all of our citizens, but especially those with limited transportation options and physical challenges.”
Amtrak currently has an underused line connecting Birmingham with New Orleans, but no route to get from New Orleans to Mobile. Mobile’s Amtrak station was lost in Hurricane Katrina. According to original reporting by the Alabama Media Group’s John Sharp Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Working Group is to meet in Mobile on Thursday. Several sites are under consideration for a new train station.
A private company is looking at the feasibility of a rail line connecting Birmingham with Montgomery.
Congressman Byrne had sent a letter of support for the “One Mobile” project to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx earlier this year. Secretary Foxx also visited Mobile last year at the invitation of Congressman Byrne. Widening the I-10 bridge is another Gulf Coast transportation priority for the state of Alabama.
Byrne represents Alabama’s First Congressional District.
