September 18th, 2026 | Volume 59, Number 10

The Mobile MPO Policy Board held a joint meeting with the TCC/CAC on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 at 10:00 am at the GM&O Building at 110 Beauregard St, Mobile, AL 36602 in the Board Room on the 1^st floor.

The MPO adopted the following project changes to the Fiscal Years 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program:

• Project: 100073596 (DB) Federal aid number: NHDBF I010 (353) County: Mobile. Project description: I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway from Broad Street (Exit 24) to existing Bayway (Phase 1). Old Engineers Estimate: $1,691,540,000 New Engineers Estimate: $2,665,755,926.
• Project 100073597 (DB) Federal Aid Number: IMDBF-NHDBF County: Mobile I-10 Bayway from west of the Mobile County Line to East of the Eastern Shore Interchange at Exit 35 SR-42 (US-98) Including restriping of the existing Bayway Bridges from the Tensaw River to the East end of the Bayway Bridges (Phase 1) Engineers Estimated Cost: $888,022,854
• Project 100080582 ( FM )RESURFACING SR-16 (US-90) FROM I-165 (MP 31.259) TO .487 MILE SOUTH OF THE AFRICATOWN BRIDGE (MP 34.207) Old Target start date : November 05, 2027 New Target start date : December 04, 2026. Cost: $790,313
• Project: 100074236 (CN) National Highway Funds Project Description: Additional lanes and bridge replacement on I-65 from SR-158 to CR-41 (Celeste Road) Old cost estimate: $53,530,000 million New cost estimate: $64,000,000

The MPO Policy Board adopted the FY2027 UPWP, updated Bylaws for the MPO and TCC/CAC, and updated Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan.

The documents can be reviewed at www.mobilempo.org. For physical copies of the documents, contact the Transportation Planning Department at (251)706-4613 or email transportation@sarpc.org.

Additional information may be obtained from the Transportation Planning Coordinator at the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, (251)433-6541.  

For documents, click HERE.

Recent Scheduling Changes This Week for Mobile MPO

The target start date or project engineers estimated amount has changed for the following:



Project : 100079629 ( CN ) Federal aid number : BR I065 (568) County : BALDWIN

Project Description : BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON I-65 ON THE GENERAL W.K. WILSON JR. BRIDGE (BIN NOS. 12321 AND 12322)

Old Target start date : January 29, 2027 New Target start date : February 26, 2027

Project : 100069500 ( UT ) Federal aid number : STPMB 4919 (251) County : MOBILE

Project Description : ADDITIONAL LANES ON CR-41 (CELESTE ROAD) FROM FOREST AVENUE TO SHELL STREET

Old Target start date : October 01, 2027 New Target start date : February 01, 2028

Project : 100069499 ( RW ) Federal aid number : STPMB 4919 (251) County : MOBILE

Project Description : ADDITIONAL LANES ON CR-41 (CELESTE ROAD) FROM FOREST AVENUE TO SHELL STREET

Old Target start date : December 01, 2026 New Target start date : February 01, 2027

Project : 100068534 ( UT ) Federal aid number : STPMB 4918 County : MOBILE

Project Description : ADDITIONAL LANES ON AIRPORT BLVD. (CR-56) FROM 0.28 MILE WEST OF ELIZA JORDAN ROAD TO SNOW ROAD (CR-25)

Old Target start date : October 01, 2027 New Target start date : February 01, 2028

Project : 100068533 ( RW ) Federal aid number : STPMB 4918 County : MOBILE

Project Description : ADDITIONAL LANES ON AIRPORT BLVD. (CR-56) FROM 0.28 MILE WEST OF ELIZA JORDAN ROAD TO SNOW ROAD (CR-25)

Old Target start date : December 01, 2026 New Target start date : February 01, 2027

Project : 100052463 ( UT ) Federal aid number : STPMB 4919 (250) County : MOBILE

Project Description : ADDITIONAL LANES ON THREE NOTCH-KRONER ROAD (CR-32) FROM MCDONALD ROAD TO SCHILLINGER SOUTH

Old Target start date : October 01, 2027 New Target start date : March 01, 2028

Project : 100052462 ( RW ) Federal aid number : STPMB 4919 (250) County : MOBILE

Project Description : ADDITIONAL LANES ON THREE NOTCH-KRONER ROAD (CR-32) FROM MCDONALD ROAD TO SCHILLINGER SOUTH

Old Target start date : December 01, 2026 New Target start date : March 01, 2027

Project : 100080584 ( FM ) Federal aid number : NH 0042 (551) County : MOBILE

Project Description : RESURFACING SR-42 (US-98) FROM STIMPSON LANE TO SR-16 (US-90/N BROAD STREET)

Old Engineers Estimate : $2,787,541.00 New Engineers Estimate : $4,383,966.71

Project : 100078271 Federal aid number : STPMB 4925 (250)  County : MOBILE

Project Description : TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND SIGNAL OPERATIONS FOR ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE MOBILE MPO URBAN AREA FY 2025-2027

Current Funding : $625,000.00 Requested Funding : $1,250,000.00

Reason for Request : ADD FUNDS (Y230).

The South Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) met on September 17, 2026. During the meeting, the RPO amended the Transportation Plan to incorporate updated needs lists for all three counties. The FY 2027 RPO Work Program was adopted, along with the Escambia County Safety Action Plan and updates to the 2024-2027 Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan.

These documents will be available on the website soon.

Over the coming year, staff will work with local elected officials to update the RPO Transportation Plan. Staff will also support ALDOT in conducting public meetings for the State Long Range Transportation Plan update.

Project Letting September 25th, 2026 10:00 AM CDT

BALDWIN COUNTY

For constructing the Roadway Improvements/Widening (Grading, Drainage, Pavement, Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS), and Traffic Lighting) on I-10 from a point 0.500 mile east of the east end of the Bayway Bridge to a point 0.500 mile east of the SR-181 Interchange in Daphne. Length 3.452 mi.

The Bracket Estimate on this project is from $28,372,638 to $34,677,669.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

None at this time.

MOBILE COUNTY

For constructing the Intersection Improvements and Traffic Signal Installation on SR-13 (US-43) at the junction of I-65 in Creola. Length 0.542 mi.

The Bracket Estimate on this project is from $1,077,864 to $1,317,389.

The House is in recess. The Senate is in session.

Members of Congress Propose Suspension of Federal Gas Tax in Response to Rising Prices

To provide consumer relief for rising gas prices, Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.) introduced legislation to suspend the federal gas tax through the end of 2026. President Trump proposed a suspension of the tax, which stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel, earlier this year in response to the Iran war. Some members of Congress expressed doubt about the idea’s feasibility; for example, House Transportation and Infrastructure chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) pointed to potential impact on state transportation projects due to a depleted Highway Trust Fund, which is funded in part by the federal gas tax. Supporters of the suspension said Graves’ opposition “killed” the proposed bill.

Progress on Multi-Year Surface Reauthorization Stalls

After Congress extended surface transportation funding through December 11 in its continuing resolution, progress on multi-year reauthorization remains slow. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the BUILD America 250 Act in May, but House leadership never brought the legislation to the floor for a vote. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) told reporters this week that her committee would not release its text before the November midterm elections, as they “have a lot of negotiating to do.” Senator Capito expressed hope the committee would be able to finish work on the legislation in 2026.

Exclusive: Alabama locks in price, financing for Mobile River bridge project

By Brendan Kirby

Published: Sep. 17, 2026

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Alabama on Thursday sold revenue bonds to investors on Wall Street, raising the money necessary to build a bridge over the Mobile River to relieve pressure on the Wallace Tunnel.

The state also has finalized an agreement with the federal government for low-interest loans that officials said are crucial to paying for the six-lane bridge and expanding the Bayway by an additional lane in each direction. Officials expect a formal announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday. But Alabama Department of Transportation spokesman Tony Harris indicated that the project is a go.

“I can confirm everything is on track to close, with construction of Phase One fully funded,” he told FOX10 News via text message.

The financing will make $3.2 billion available to the contractor team tapped to do the work. That is the guaranteed maximum price; any cost overruns will be borne by the contractor.

The state originally planned to build a new crossing over the bay, but rising costs pushed that to a future Phase Two. Instead, the Department of Transportation will spend about $888 million to restripe the existing Bayway, removing the shoulders to create three lanes in each direction to match the lanes on the bridge.

That restriping will involve more than just putting down new paint. Harris said the contractor will construct about a mile of new road on the Bayway at the point where it merges with the bridge, which will rise 215 feet above the Mobile River.

Here is a look at where the money is coming from:

• $125 million came from the federal Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program, or INFRA.
• $550 million came from a grant awarded in 2024 under the Bridge Improvement Program.
• ALDOT pledged $250 million, and Harris said it likely will be more than that when all is said and done.
• About $2.5 billion in low-interest, federally backed loans under a program known as the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, or TIFIA.

ALDOT already has spent about $500 million of those funds since 1997. That went toward acquiring rights of way and performing engineering studies that make this a “shovel-ready” project.

About $625 million in borrowing will be repaid with tolls. Drivers will pay when they use the bridge or the Bayway, although the Causeway and tunnels will remain free. The lowest rate will be $3 per crossing on passenger vehicles with an ALGO pass. A $60 monthly pass for unlimited use also will be available.

The rates get progressively higher without an ALGO pass – all the way up to $15.40 for vehicles that don’t have transponder devices.

Traffic Alert: I-65 southbound lane closure for bridge rail repair in Escambia County

Sep 18, 2026

Bridge rail repairs will begin next week on southbound Interstate 65 at mile marker 59 in Escambia County.

The contractor is scheduled to begin work Monday, Sept. 21, and expects the project to take seven calendar days to complete.

Traffic Impacts

• Location: Southbound I-65 at mile marker 59 near Wet Weather Creek.
• Start Date: Monday, Sept. 21.
• Duration: Approximately seven calendar days.
• Lanes: Southbound I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the project area.
• Lane Closure: The left lane will remain closed throughout the project.
• Oversize Loads: No permits will be issued for loads more than 12 feet wide during the project.

Drivers traveling southbound on I-65 should expect slower traffic and allow extra time when approaching the work zone.

ALDOT encourages motorists to slow down, stay alert and use caution when traveling through the construction area.

Paving underway on US-90 resurfacing project in Baldwin County

Sep 15, 2026

Paving is now underway on a 5.6-mile section of US-90 in Baldwin County, and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is reassuring motorists that the resurfacing project is progressing as planned.

Milling Completed in August

The US 90 resurfacing project began Aug. 17 with milling, which removes the old asphalt surface. Milling was completed Aug. 27.

Because US 90 is a two-lane roadway in the project area, traffic must be controlled with flaggers during the work. The contractor completed the milling across the entire project before beginning paving.

This approach helps limit the amount of time motorists are affected by lane closures.

Weather Delayed Paving

Rain between Aug. 31 and Labor Day also delayed the start of paving. Lane closures were paused during the Labor Day holiday, as required by ALDOT.

Paving began Sept. 10 and is expected to take about two to three weeks, depending on weather and other conditions.

“It is normal for a milled roadway to remain in that condition for a period of time before new asphalt is placed,” said ALDOT Southwest Region spokesperson James Gordon. “While the milled surface may look and feel different from a finished roadway, it is a normal part of the resurfacing process. Signs are posted throughout the work area to alert motorists to the road conditions and encourage drivers to slow down and use caution.”

Drivers Asked to Use Caution

Motorists traveling through the work zone should pay attention to signs, follow flaggers’ instructions and reduce their speed.

ALDOT appreciates the public’s patience while the US-90 resurfacing project is completed. The department looks forward to providing an improved roadway for motorists traveling through Baldwin County.

Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT)

Application Deadline: October 9, 2026

The PROTECT Competitive Grant Program funds projects to improve the resilience of the surface transportation system, including highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. Program goals include protecting: surface transportation assets by making them more resilient; communities through resilience improvements and strategies that allow for the continued operation or rapid recovery of surface transportation systems; coastal infrastructure; and natural infrastructure that protects and enhances surface transportation assets. Eligible applicants are States, metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, public transportation agencies, port authorities, and Federal Land Managing Agencies (FLMA) when applying jointly with a State or group of States.

Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation & Improvement Program II

What is the ATRIP-II program?

The purpose of the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II) is to rehabilitate and improve transportation infrastructure by funding projects of local interest, proposed by one or more local governments, related to the state-maintained highway system. Projects may include local roads and bridges essential to such projects.

The program's goal is to address critical needs projects across the state to rehabilitate and improve the in-place facilities and in some cases provide new facilities at locations throughout the state. The program's focus is an emphasis on the public safety, economic growth, and stability of the state and its roads and bridges.

Procedural Guidelines

Application

FAQ

All applications must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 pm on November 13, 2026.

Applications should be sent in through https://aldot.submittable.com/submit

New Jimmy Buffet exhibit at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf is now open! 

The exhibit is organized into four galleries that trace Buffett’s life from his Gulf Coast roots to his lasting cultural footprint:

• A Sailor’s Roots — Buffett’s maritime heritage + the Gulf Coast that shaped him
• Songs That Sailed the World — The music, stories + lyrics behind his catalog
• A Way of Life — Buffett as entrepreneur, adventurer + entertainer
• We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About — A Parrot Head confessional + interactive world map connecting fans globally

Learn more here: Jimmy Buffett exhibit opens Sept. 12 at Mobile's maritime museum: How to get tickets | Mobile Bay Now