Ivey announces next slate of local projects — ‘Improving Alabama’s infrastructure remains a top priority’

Gov. Kay Ivey (R-AL) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on Monday announced the next round of local road and bridge projects.

The funding awards are made possible through the Annual Grant Program, which was established by the 2019 passage of the Rebuild Alabama Act. The annual program sets aside $10 million off the top of the state’s portion of new gas tax revenue for infrastructure improvements.

For the nine projects that were selected, the total amount in the newly-announced awards for localities totals $2.08 million. While not required, the applicants are contributing a total of $4.2 million in matching local funds.

Eight of the nine projects include the resurfacing of roadway in Bullock, Clay, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Lowndes, Russell and Washington Counties. Additionally, Clarke County is set to receive funding toward traffic striping and control marking.

Ivey hailed the round of announced infrastructure improvements, declaring the awards to be an investment “in our people and our future.”

“Improving Alabama’s infrastructure remains a top priority of the Ivey Administration, and thanks to Rebuild Alabama, we are continually able to put these funds to good use,” said Ivey. “More and more communities and cities across our state are seeing new road and bridge projects in their areas, and I look forward to that continuing. When we invest in our roads and bridges, we are investing in our people and our future.”

The announcement marks this year’s third round of projects under the Annual Grant Program. In the first two rounds, the awards have totaled $8 million and have been applied toward 34 projects. With the latest round, the overall amount in state funds for fiscal year 2021 totals $10.04 million for 43 local projects.

All projects are required to move forward within one year of the awarding of funds.

This is the second year of the Annual Grant Program. The program in fiscal year 2020 awarded a total of $10.14 million for local projects.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL