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An event celebrating a $550 million federal investment in the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project on Tuesday was attended by U.S. Senator Katie Britt, Governor Kay Ivey, FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt, and other dignitaries. The event, hosted by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), marked Alabama’s receipt of one of the largest federal grants in the state’s history, designed to significantly enhance transportation infrastructure.
“This $550 million investment in the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project is a huge win for Alabamians and any American who drives along I-10,” said Senator Britt. “I was proud to help lead Alabama’s entire congressional delegation in support of this well-deserved grant award, and I appreciate Governor Ivey’s continued partnership and the leadership of the MPOs and local officials who have spearheaded this community-driven, crucial project. Returning Alabamians’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars back to our great state is a top priority of mine in the Senate, and I’ll continue fighting to do just that.”
Governor Kay Ivey emphasized the transformative potential of this grant, stating, “This federal funding will be a game-changer, 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 $550 million, part of the USDOT’s Bridge Investment Program, is a critical step forward in the decades-long effort to construct a new I-10 bridge and bayway, a project with a total estimated cost of $3.5 billion. This initiative aims to alleviate congestion in the Wallace Tunnel, improve traffic flow, and enhance public safety and economic activity along the Gulf Coast.
U.S. Representative Jerry Carl, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Fairhope City Councilman Jack Burrell, and other state and local officials were also on hand for the historic event.