The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is moving forward with the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Widening Project, a major infrastructure effort designed to expand traffic capacity, improve safety, and reduce congestion across Mobile Bay.
The project includes the construction of a new cable-stayed bridge over the Mobile River and the widening of I-10. Its goal is to ease bottlenecks, enhance the transport of hazardous materials, and minimize disruptions to Mobile’s maritime industry.
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the Mobile River Bridge is among 180 federal infrastructure projects being expedited as part of a push to streamline grant approvals.
The designation will help move forward a $550 million Bridge Investment Program grant awarded to the project in 2024.
RELATED: Alabama leaders thrilled with $550 million grant for I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project
“We appreciate the commitment for Secretary Duffy and the Trump Administration to expedite the completion of the funding process for the $550 million grant for the Mobile River Bridge,” Tony Harris, a spokesperson for ALDOT said today.
“With this commitment, this is another positive step toward the completion of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project.”
ALDOT has consolidated the management of the bridge and bayway project under the Kiewit Massman Traylor (KMT) team—a joint venture that had already been selected to design and construct the bridge.
The team has begun pre-construction activities, including a Pile Load Test Program to assess the stability and strength of the foundation piles that will support the new structures.
Testing will take place between May and August at six locations along the planned bridge route. Crews will evaluate 24-inch square precast concrete piles during daytime hours, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. ALDOT noted that the testing will not impact traffic on I-10.
Before construction can officially begin, ALDOT must finalize two remaining items: an agreement on a guaranteed maximum price and completion of the federal TIFIA (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) loan.
Officials remain optimistic that the groundbreaking can take place before the end of the year.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
