In her latest effort to help Alabama “reach its full potential,” Sen. Katie Britt has pushed two bills out of the Senate Committee on Appropriations which will provide close to $112 million in funding for transportation and water infrastructure projects throughout the Yellowhammer State.
“Our local roads, highways, and airports connect Alabama’s families, small businesses, industries, and communities with not only each other, but the world,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said about the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation Housing and Urban Development and related Agencies Appropriations Bill. “Every child – regardless of their ZIP Code – should have the opportunity to work hard and seize their American Dream, and investing strategically and responsibly in our state’s 21st century infrastructure needs is key to making this a reality.
“I look forward to continuing to work on the Appropriations Committee to bring Alabamians’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars back home, so that every community across our state can reach its full potential.”
Britt said the bill benefits the Birmingham Northern Beltline through $20 million in funding to the National Scenic Byways program and $350 million to the Appalachian Development Highway System. Currently, Alabama has the most uncompleted miles of any state in the system.
Britt then discussed the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.
“From the rivers that wind across Alabama to Mobile Harbor, our state’s waterways are critical connectors that drive opportunity, recreation, and economic growth in every corner of our great state,” she said. “These investments would help ensure Alabama remains beautiful and a sweet home to do business long into the future.”
Funding for the waterways projects within the state will go toward the following:
- $20.6 million to revitalize and repair the George W. Andrews Lock and Dam on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers at Columbia
- $18.4 million for dredging, maintenance, and operations on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
- $12.1 million for dredging, maintenance, and operations on the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers
- $11.2 million for dredging, maintenance, and operations in Mobile Harbor
- $10.5 million for dredging, maintenance, and operations on the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River System
The bill also provides $200 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission and $30.1 million for the Delta Regional Authority. Combined, these two organizations serve 57 counties in the Yellowhammer State.
The two pieces of legislation will now go to the full Senate for consideration.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
