BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Baldwin County elected officials hope a meeting in Washington, D.C. will move the long-awaited I-10 bridge project one step closer to breaking ground.
The Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization returned from a trip to the nation's capital to seek federal support for the Interstate 10 bridge project. The organization is made up of elected officials from throughout Baldwin County.
MPO, along with Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, met with the U.S. Department of Transportation. State Representatives Jerry Carl and Barry Moore also attended.
“We're taking up 16 miles of interstate highway from coast to coast, so I want to say this will benefit local residents, the region and the country as a whole,” Eastern Shore MPO and Fairhope City Councilman Jack Burrell said. ” he said.
Although USDOT did not commit any additional funding to the project, Burrell said it has its full support.
“We all felt really good when we left the meeting. Not that they promised us anything, but we probably felt even better than we felt before we got to the meeting,” Burrell said. he said. “They said we don't have to sell to a need, and they clearly see a need for it. That was very encouraging to us.”
Federal officials provided feedback to MPO on how to make applications for various grant programs more attractive. Burrell said this advice will make it easier for MPOs to find the funding they need.
The Alabama Department of Transportation estimates the project will cost between $2.8 billion and $3.5 billion.
“We are currently working with the federal government on our share of the pie,” said Baldwin County Commissioner and MPO member Matt McKenzie.
Burrell said MPO has secured some grants but is seeking $500 million more.
He said the Alabama Department of Transportation has contributed at least $250 million.
“We have to bring this together. There are multiple funding mechanisms,” Burrell said. “So the more grants you can get, the less money you have to borrow.”
Burrell said ALDOT is in the middle of a 60-day review of costs associated with the project.
“I think ALDOT needs to take its time and do it right and save money,” Burrell said. “We don’t want to rush their work.”
Burrell said that once the bridge is built, it will be a toll bridge, with an ALGO Pass costing less than $2.50 per ride for passenger cars. Without an ALGO pass, drivers could end up paying a total of $5.50. Burrell says his monthly ALGO pass brings the cost of a car down to about 80 cents.
Burrell said construction on the bridge was originally scheduled for the end of 2023, but was later pushed back to the end of 2024.
McKenzie, a former state trooper, said the Interstate 10 bridge would ease congestion and provide an additional evacuation route during severe weather.
“I have seen [traffic congestion] When I was a state trooper, it ran all the way from I-65 and I-10 in Mobile County to the Loxley exit,” McKenzie said.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said she fully supported the project but was unable to attend the meeting.
