Eastern Shore leaders travel to Washington, D.C., seeking federal support on I-10 Bridge project

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Elected officials in Baldwin County hope a meeting in Washington D.C. would get 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, where they sought federal support for the I-10 bridge project. The organization is comprised of elected officials from across Baldwin County.

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The MPO met with the U.S. Department of Transportation along with Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt. State Representatives Jerry Carl and Barry Moore were also in attendance.

“We like to say that it benefits the locals, the region and the whole country since we’re taking up 10 miles of the interstate that spans from coast to coast,” Eastern Shore MPO and Fairhope councilman Jack Burrell said.

While the USDOT did not commit any additional funding to the project, Burrell said the project has their full support.

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“We all felt pretty good when we left that meeting, not that they promised us anything but probably even better than we felt before we even got there,” Burrell said. “They said we didn’t need to sell them on the need, and that they clearly saw the need. It was very encouraging for us.”

Federal officials gave the MPO feedback on how to make applications to various grant programs more appealing. Burrell said the advice would make it easier for the MPO to find the funding they need.

The Alabama Department of Transportation estimated the project to cost anywhere between $2.8 billion to $3.5 billion.

“We’re working with the federal government now on their share of the pie,” Baldwin County Commissioner and MPO member Matt McKenzie said.

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Burrell said the MPO has secured several grants, but they’re seeking an additional $500 million.

He said the Alabama Department of Transportation has contributed a minimum amount of $250 million.

“We have to piece this together. There are multiple funding mechanisms,” Burrell said. “So, the more grant money we can get, the less we have to borrow.”

Burrell said ALDOT is halfway through a 60-day review of costs associated with the project.

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“I think ALDOT needs to take their time, they need to get it right and they need to save money,” Burrell said. “I don’t want to rush them doing their job.”

When it’s built, Burrell said the bridge would be a toll bridge that charges passenger vehicles no more than $2.50 per use with an ALGO pass. Without an ALGO pass, it could cost drivers a total of $5.50. A monthly ALGO pass, according to Burrell, would bring the cost down to about 80 cents for a passenger vehicle.

Burrell said the groundbreaking on the bridge was originally set for the end of 2023 but has since been pushed back to the end of 2024.

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McKenzie, a former state trooper, said the I-10 bridge would alleviate congestion and provide an additional evacuation route in the event of severe weather.

“I have seen [traffic congestion] from I-65 and I-10 in Mobile County all the way to the Loxley exit when I was a state trooper,” McKenzie said.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said he fully advocated for the project, but he couldn’t make it to the meeting.

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