A pair of bipartisan lawmakers representing portions of south Alabama are sponsoring legislation to increase federal funding for bridge infrastructure.
U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, introduced the bipartisan Bridge Investment and Modernization Act this week to streamline funding for infrastructure projects, including the construction and repairs of bridges, including the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project. The legislation reauthorizes the Bridge Investment Program through 2031.
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“This bill is a step in the right direction toward real advancements in projects like the I-10 Bridge and Bayway Project in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama,” Figures said in a statement. “This will help communities be better connected by working to ensure the completion of infrastructure projects all across America.”
What does the bill do?
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, signed onto the bill as a co-sponsor. He said the bipartisan legislation will ensure bridge repairs and upgrades get done faster. Moore said the Bridge Investment Program previously only allowed one large grant per state.
“This bill allows for continued investments in American infrastructure and specifically advances projects like the I-10 Bridge and Bayway Project in Mobile, making travel safer and easier for so many across the Gulf Coast,” Moore said in a statement. “I will continue working with President Trump and Transportation Secretary (Sean) Duffy to ensure we deliver on a new I-10 bridge.”
Republican Rep. Mike Ezell of Mississippi is also sponsoring the bill. Figures and Ezell submitted the Bridge Investment and Modernization Act into the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Portal to be considered as part of the authorization that the House will vote on later this year or early 2026.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced in May it would release the $550 million federal grant that will fund the construction of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Alex Angle and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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