I-10 Bridge Gets Federal Grant

The I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project in South Alabama has received a $550-million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program, AL.com is among outlets to report. The funds will go directly toward the estimated $3.5-billion project that includes the construction of a new six-lane, 215-ft-tall, 7.4-mi.-long cable-stay bridge in Downtown Mobile and a new elevated six-lane Bayway. The $550 million grant, according to Gov. Kay Ivey, is “believed to be one of the largest federal grants ever received for an Alabama project.” It is the second-largest award in the Bridge Investment Program’s history. Ed Austin, chief engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation, said it will allow the project to be “in a position to break ground” as soon as next year. The $550 million is the second major infusion of federal grant money for the project, following a 2019 federal grant of $125 million and $250 million from the state. The balance of the project is to come from federal loans, primarily via the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act.