John Cooper Archives

Charges against Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper were dropped Tuesday after his neighbor, Gerald Carter, chose not to pursue the matter, according to court records.

Cooper, who had been charged with harassment following a 2023 property dispute with Carter in Marshall County, was accused of threatening to shoot Carter during an argument over an easement. The case was dismissed by Marshall County District Judge Mitchell S. Floyd by agreement between both parties.

Carter informed the state he “no longer wishes to pursue this matter,” and prosecutors filed a motion for dismissal.

Carter and Cooper’s dispute revolved around a piece of land adjacent to Cooper’s property. Carter had claimed that Cooper blocked access to a road on the property and threatened him during a confrontation. Despite the criminal case being dismissed, a civil suit between the two parties over the easement is set for trial in October.

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270

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7. Walmart, McDonald’s, and other large employers are pioneering efforts to convert workplace skills into college credits with aims to acknowledge on-the-job learning as part of formal education, addressing issues of high college costs and the need for alternative talent recruitment methods. Walmart’s “Walmart Academy” provides training that counts toward degrees, with stated goals of promoting workforce advancement and reducing educational barriers but the real goal is getting motivated people on the payroll, the military does this, too.

6. Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) skillfully defused an encounter with an activist on Capitol Hill, who attempted to trick her into taking a photo and then fired what she thought was a clever question about her being funded by “Big Oil.” When confronted with an accusation of contributing to the climate crisis, Britt confidently advocated for energy independence and dominance, highlighting the superiority of American energy practices as the elevator doors closed.

5. Two Fresh Value grocery stores in Tuscaloosa and Pell City have installed vending machine kiosks selling ammunition, developed by American Rounds, sure to make people happy. These kiosks, designed to cater to hunting communities, feature age verification, and 360-degree facial recognition for legal compliance. The stores claim the initiative aims to reduce theft, a common issue in traditional stores, and provide a convenient option for customers; more locations are planned across Alabama.

4. Those hoping for a landslide for former President Donald Trump and a wipeout for Democrats may want to look to France for a cautionary tail where the Left was able to cling to power despite the thought the Right was taking the government back with promises of free money and benefits. Much like the American Left, France’s liberals promote more immigration, much higher (90%) taxes, lowering the retirement age, and massive state investments in unproven green energy.

3. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth criticized Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Director John Cooper for neglecting the state’s infrastructure needs, particularly in North Alabama and Ainsworth highlighted misaligned priorities, such as spending $1.5 billion on U.S. Highway 43 without federal funding, suggesting this money should be used to widen Interstate 65, leveraging federal matches to maximize funding. Cooper has faced a lot of scrutiny for his off-the-clock behavior involving his neighbor and drew attention to ALDOT’s spending on the Alabama Political Reporter which appeared as a pay-for-play by some observers after they whined Cooper was wronged by media coverage about his arrest.

2. The Republican National Committee has adopted a platform reflecting former President Donald Trump’s position of leaving abortion limits to states, omitting a federal abortion ban for the first time in 40 years. The streamlined 16-page document avoids specific strict abortion language to prevent giving Democrats material for criticism. The platform committee’s meeting precedes the Republican National Convention, where Trump will accept his third presidential nomination and the revised platform maintains that the Constitution’s 14th Amendment guarantees life and liberty but leaves states free to pass protective laws.

1. President Joe Biden, in a letter to congressional Democrats, asserted his commitment to running for reelection despite calls for him to step aside after a poor debate performance. Biden emphasized party unity to defeat former President Donald Trump and dismissed critics, challenging them to contest him at the convention if they disagreed. The media and Democratic leaders remain divided within their comingled ranks, with some calling for Biden to step down, while others rally behind him, underscoring the urgency to focus on defeating Trump and avoid internal discord.

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Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast Talk Radio 103.9 FM/730AM WUMP from 3-4 p.m.

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth reignited his feud with Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Director John Cooper over what Ainsworth views a neglect of the state’s true infrastructure needs.

In an interview with “The Jeff Poor Show,” Ainsworth said Cooper’s pursuit of misaligned priorities from North Alabama to Mobile and Baldwin County in South Alabama, “is gonna catch up with us” in the future.

“I’ve called John Cooper out for not doing a good job, and I’m gonna keep doing that,” Ainsworth said. “He has totally, in my opinion, disrespected North Alabama by the lack of infrastructure funding in comparison to the growth we’ve seen. And I don’t think he’s done a good job. I’ll say it again: He needs to be fired.

“I mean, he does not do a good job as [ALDOT] director. He continues to neglect major projects, and then he sits there and puts priority on projects like (U.S. Highway) 43, and Southwest Alabama. That’s fine if you want to do that — but it’s a horrible idea to do that project without getting federal funding.”

Ainsworth said the benefits of reallocating state funds earmarked for other projects, such as the $1.5 billion allocated for U.S. 43, used as a match, could draw down 80% of the necessary funding from federal sources.

“We’re working on a plan right now that we’re going to in to make sure that [Interstate 65] gets wide,” he said. “And and it can be done.

“I think on I-65, let’s get it done right. You take the money they’re spending on (U.S.) 43, which will probably end up being $1.5 billion of state money — not a dollar of federal money. Now, if you let me have that money and use it as a match to draw down 80%, I-65 is done. My message to the people of Alabama is: Isn’t it a better use of our funds to take that money and draw down 80%? Now you’re looking at $15 billion being spent on roads. Are we going to spend 100% on one project and then use different funds? It’s just common sense. Anybody would say if you can draw down 80% — (U.S.) 43, by the way, would qualify for 90% — why aren’t they pursuing the federal match then?

“I’d also make an argument Baldwin County is not getting its fair share money,” Ainsworth said.

“My point is always go back to data. And the data says there’s 8 million people coming to the coast … But as a state, we owe it to those cities in that county to make sure we get people in and out, you know, effectively and efficiently. And then, that funnels up to (Interstate) 65 … Normally, it’s five-and-a-half, six-hour drive from here to go to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, is taking people nine to ten hours.

“We’re gonna continuously grow but I think one of the things that we’re gonna be foolish on looking back I think, is you know, if we do not stay ahead of the growth from an infrastructure standpoint, it’s gonna catch up with us.”

Last year, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the widening of I-65 from Alabaster to Calera, a widening of four-mile stretch of Interstate 59, and a new interchange to connect Interstate 459 to Alabama Highway 150.

At that time, Ainsworth said, “It’s a start.”

State lawmakers whose regions stand to benefit from ALDOT priorities publicly dispute the best use of infrastructure projects as well.

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

In a long-form post Tuesday from The Daily Beast, the intracoastal bridge project in Baldwin County took center stage alongside key Alabama political players grappling over the state’s infrastructure priorities.

While particularly scrupulous of Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Chief John Cooper’s part, the report offered a look into the current state of play around a situation that isn’t expected to be resolved anytime soon.

Last month, we reported the Alabama Supreme Court authorized construction to continue on the bridge after a Montgomery Circuit Judge imposed a halt on the project in May.

“In 2020, Alabama’s Department of Transportation appropriated $1.6 billion—a mix of state, federal, and local funds—so the cost of the bridge would hardly be a drop in the bucket for Alabama, even when legal and construction issues inevitably drive up the cost,” writes Sam Brodey, Daily Beast deputy politics editor. “If the director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, John Cooper, has his way, there will one day be a monument to that black hole: a $120 million bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway that everyone from local activists to a federal judge has dubbed a ‘boondoggle’ to ‘nowhere.’

“Even by his standards, Cooper’s stubborn push to build an expensive new bridge to the Gulf Coast has confounded his sympathizers and created a legion of enemies who are determined to kill the project or pressure Ivey to give him the boot—whichever comes first.”

On top of high costs, the bridge’s design and location have been criticized for lacking the potential to improve or alleviate existing traffic concerns.

The article offered a spotlight to officials who have been sounding the alarm on mismanaged infrastructure priorities.

“The state’s lieutenant governor, Will Ainsworth, has gone a step further: On Aug. 12, he said if he were in charge, Cooper would be ‘fired on day one.’ He cited a number of disappointments, including his handling of the Intracoastal Waterway bridge,” Daily Beast reported.

“For opponents of the project, it’s hard to decide what aspect of the years-long process most infuriates them.”

The news outlet also interviewed State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine).

“My frustration as a local who represents these folks is we don’t have a solution still,” Elliott said. “There doesn’t seem to be a solution on the horizon.”

The Daily Beast seemed baffled by the state’s response to their questions.

“ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris accused the toll company of charging drivers ‘tens of millions of dollars while not eliminating traffic jams’ and called the price hike ‘consistent with that practice.’ Citing a public hearing from five years ago, a recent online poll from a local paper, and ‘recent news coverage,’ Harris contended ‘there is overwhelming support for ALDOT’s project.’”

“He did not respond to a question about the last time Cooper spoke with Ivey about the project. And Ivey’s office did not respond to a request for comment,” Daily Beast reported.

The central mystery of their story revolved around Cooper, who is said to have brought his career-long reputation to bear on the Baldwin County bridge.

“Across Alabama, Cooper has long been notorious for his muscular wielding of power and his legendary holding of grudges. A popular quip — ‘it’s Mr. Cooper’s way or no highway’ — is usually delivered by insiders with a laugh, groan, or both,” Daily Beast wrote.

Exacerbated by personal legal and criminal troubles, Cooper’s no-nonsense attitude, viewed in the past as a strength, according to former colleagues, is now a political and operational weakness.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

The Alabama Supreme Court has given the green light for the continuation of the intracoastal bridge construction in Baldwin County. The ruling, handed down today, permits the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to carry on with the project.

In May, a Montgomery Circuit Judge imposed a halt on the construction. Today, the state’s highest court determined that the lower court did not possess the authority to stop the two-lane bridge project in Gulf Shores.

The 31-page judgment leaned on the “doctrine of State immunity” from the Alabama Constitution – asserting that the state and its entities have “absolute immunity” against lawsuits. This principle protects both the Alabama Department of Transportation and its Director, John Cooper.

“This is an important victory for Alabama’s coastal residents and millions of visitors to our state. The need for a new, free bridge is obvious,” said Tony Harris, a spokesman for ALDOT. “The Supreme Court’s decision means construction can restart on this project that will help relieve traffic congestion and provide an additional evacuation route.

“Construction can move forward in the coming weeks.”

The Baldwin County Bridge Company previously accused Cooper of handling past negotiations dishonestly.

In May, Judge Jimmy Pool ordered an 80-page directive stating that ALDOT Director John Cooper had concealed intentions to bankrupt the company and kept these endeavors hidden from the public.

Pool halted the construction of the bridge, maintaining that “evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that Director Cooper has acted in bad faith towards BCBC in connection with his decision to build a new bridge.”

On Friday, Neal Belitsky, president of Baldwin County Bridge Company said, “Today’s decision sends an unfortunate message to businesses across this nation — come to Alabama on notice that anything an unelected government official chooses to do to you, he can do and you are powerless to stop him even if he is acting in bad faith.

“Chief Justice Parker’s concurrence delivers a terrifying reality ‘…you shall hear the small and the great alike’, unless the Alabama government is the defendant.”

While “disappointed” by today’s ruling, Belitsky said the company is pleased the higher court “rejected Cooper’s effort to avoid any accountability for his actions.”

The ambitious bridge project, inclusive of related roadways, is estimated to cost upward of $120 million.

In its ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court said, “we now conclude that BCBC’s claim on which the preliminary injunction is based is barred by State immunity. Accordingly, the trial court has no subject-matter jurisdiction over that claim and the preliminary injunction must be reversed.”

However, the court denied Cooper’s request to raise the preliminary injunction bond above $100,000. It also ruled against the Scott Bridge Co., the contractor, which sought to claim damages on the bond.

Local officials across the Coastal region are likely celebrating today’s decision.

In May, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said the need for the bridge was urgent, citing Baldwin County’s growth and Highway 59 bridge’s inefficiencies.

“The Highway 59 bridge is F-rated and woefully over capacity nine months out of the year,” Craft said. “This is a problem not just for tourist traffic flow, but for residents, emergency vehicles, and for hurricane evacuations.”

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

It’s now more clear why Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper turned himself into the Marshall County Jail this month.

Gerald Carter, a Scottsboro businessman, lodged harassment charges against Cooper – alleging that Cooper threatened him with violence over a land dispute.

“Cooper said to me, ‘You touch my gate and I’ll shoot you,’” Carter told al.com.

The confrontation took place after an exchange about a property easement issue after Carter’s purchase of 5.5 acres of land near Cooper’s property at South Sauty Creek Resort campground.

“He said, ‘You touch my gate and I’ll shoot you.’ I said, ‘What did you say?’ He said, ‘You know what? You ain’t even worth the price of a bullet. You touch my gate and I’ll whup your fat ass.’

“I said, ‘John Cooper!’ And he said, ‘You heard me. I’m old and I got Parkinson’s, but I’ll still whup your fat ass!’ And I said, ‘John, you take your best shot and you make sure it’s a good one.’”

“Cooper’s property adjoins a garden, and there is a gravel road with another entry way to my property. However, Cooper keeps a locked gate there,” Carter said. He also said Cooper had sent him a letter accusing him and his wife of trespassing on his land.

According to Carter, he has a deeded easement allowing use of the road off Joe’s Parkway and had tried to communicate this to Cooper. Despite efforts to resolve the issue amicably, Carter said, their discussions became contentious and even involved a rejected offer by Cooper to swap lands.

On June 4, Carter said he noticed Cooper’s utility vehicle blocking the gravel road leading to his property. When confronted, Cooper demanded to see the easement document. After reviewing it, Cooper accused Carter of buying “bad land” and claimed that he had been “sneaking” onto the property.

“I told Cooper that I would stop using Joe’s Parkway as long as he removed the gate to my property. When I threatened to remove the gate myself, that’s when he issued the threats,” Carter said.

Cooper has been director for ALDOT since 2011.

Cooper was arrested and spent roughly 30 minutes in Marshall County Jail on June 12 before posting a $500 bond on a harassment/intimidation charge.

“This morning (Monday), Mr. Cooper directed me to file a complaint for declaratory judgement cause of action in Marshall County Circuit Court regarding a land dispute with a neighbor who is falsely claiming an easement on Mr. Cooper’s property,” said a statement released June 12, signed by Cooper’s attorney George Barnett.

“The clearest legal path to resolving this matter is to have the Court determine whether an easement exists, and we look forward to resolving this matter.”

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

7. A silly ethics complaint filed by Alabama Board of Education Member Wayne Reynolds against former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has been predictably dropped. Reynolds claimed Brooks’ comments about China not wanting him elected to the U.S. Senate represented, “unethical behavior that harms the Alabama Republican Party and impugns the validity of our Party election process” but the majority of the Alabama Republican Party’s Ethics committee disagreed.

6. Democrats seem to be pushing another stimulus bill (up to $1,200 a month), not because they think it is good for the economy or America’s economic health, but because they believe it will turn out Democrat voters and independents who want “free money.” U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLaura (D-Conn.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) have proposed it and 200 Democrat Congressthems are for it, including Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).

5. Why is President Joe Biden still in the race for president even when he has a ton of ethical allegations, seems to be feeble, and is generally a terrible person and president? Two reasons: They think President Trump is beatable (especially in swing states) and because his vice president is historically unpopular with an unfavorable net rating of -17. [insert Kamala Harris cackle]

4. Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation John Cooper may lose his job if he did what he is alleged to have done. Cooper was arrested in Marshall County after a tiff with a neighbor and allegedly said, “You heard me. I’m old and I got Parkinson’s, but I’ll still whup your fat ass!”

3. The youth mental health crisis is clearly a thing and we need to address it. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) supports “The Protecting Kids on Social Media Act” which includes a real-age verification process for social media. Do it.

2. In an attempt to get “drag” criminalized in Alabama, Central Alabama Pride hosted an event with children where an adult man in a dog outfit shakes his ass before walking over to a young child and accepting money from him. The “performer” known as “Flap Jack” posted a video to Twitter showing the scene and stating, “I always love performing in this look […] because it draws folks in whether they’re young or old. Drag is not a crime, y’all!?” Sadly, it should be and could be if the Alabama Legislature had wanted it to be, it would be.

1. Another audio leak from the Department of Justice shows President Donald Trump admitting that the documents he had were not declassified AND he knew he should not have them or be showing them to others. Big, if true, obviously. It is true.

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Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper has been arrested for harassment over an alleged property dispute in Langston with a neighbor. This comes on the heels of the ALDOT director being slammed by a judge and lawmakers over his behavior in the attempts to build a bridge and put a private business out of business.

6. Alabama now has 21 medical weed companies that will now be able to cultivate, process, transport, dispense, and test under the very strict medical marijuana law Alabama has passed. A second round of licensing could be offered soon. The law will allow the usage only in specific cases, can’t be sold to be smoked or in edible form (so enjoy your gelatinous cube or anal suppository, it can not get you high), people are going to be so disappointed.

5. Craig Waller owns Greenville 24-Hour Fitness and posted an image of a bride and groom on the business’ Facebook followed by the statement, “It’s natural, its worked for thousands of years and you can make babies. It’s okay to be straight.” As it is holy Pride Month, people were not amused because gay people are the only people allowed to have pride and some pretended women who could not have children were offended. He has taken it down and apologized, which is not enough.

4. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre broke the law by using her podium to repeatedly bash “mega MAGA Republicans” for 2022 elections after repeatedly referencing the Hatch Act to avoid answering questions. Donald Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway did a similar thing while working for the White House, and the American media was significantly more interested in that story than this one.

3. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is having none of the empty gestures the Senate leadership is trying to offer him in exchange for him lifting his hold on nominees. There was a proposal to have a debate on Pentagon abortion policy in exchange for Tuberville lifting the hold, he says the law either needs to change or the Pentagon needs to follow the law.

2. Former President Donald Trump will turn himself in into the city of Miami and face his first arraignment in the federal case where 37 counts are alleged – from document possession to obstruction. Fear of chaos and a circus continues from the media that will surely be disappointed.

1. The Biden family’s issues just got significantly worse, if U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and his allegations are to be believed. Grassley says FBI FD-1023, that lawmakers were briefed on, was heavily redacted and omitted the allegation that a Burisma executive allegedly paid Joe Biden and his no-good crackhead son, Hunter Biden, $5 million kept 17 audio recordings of his conversations with them as an “insurance policy.”

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Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation John Cooper was arrested and briefly jailed Monday on harassment charges in Marshall County.

Cooper, 75, turned himself in to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office around noon after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Sheriff Phil Sims confirmed that Cooper was booked into the Marshall County Jail at 11:53 a.m. on charges of harassment and intimidation. Jail records indicate he posted a $500 bond and was released at 12:35 p.m.

According to the Sand Mountain Reporter, Chief Deputy Willie Orr said a warrant against Cooper was issued for harassment – a misdemeanor charge – possibly connected to a property line dispute Cooper was in with a neighbor near Langston.

Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kay Ivey, referred to a statement from Barnett & Jolley, a law firm in Guntersville, which stated they were representing Cooper in his personal capacity.

“This morning (Monday), Mr. Cooper directed me to file a complaint for declaratory judgement cause of action in Marshall County Circuit Court regarding a land dispute with a neighbor who is falsely claiming an easement on Mr. Cooper’s property,” said the statement, signed by attorney George Barnett. “The clearest legal path to resolving this matter is to have the Court determine whether an easement exists, and we look forward to resolving this matter.”

Cooper has been serving as the transportation director for ALDOT since 2011.

Prior to that, Cooper had a significant career in the corporate sector. He was the CEO of a Huntsville technology company until 2008 and has worked as a senior executive in the Huntsville area since the 1990s.

His arrest comes in the wake of a recent legal setback for Cooper as transportation director.

Last month, State Judge Jimmy Pool released an 80-page order accusing Cooper of acting in bad faith and intentionally attempting to put a private company out of business while concealing his efforts from the public.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

7. Cable news shakeups continue with CNN losing hours to Newsmax while a Drudge Report story indicates the Fox News primetime lineup will soon be Hannity, Jesse Watters, and “Gutfeld!” but no word for what happens to Laura Ingraham.

6. Montana has completely banned TikTok, the Chinese-government-owned social media app, and hit app stores that make it available with $10,000 fines. The ban does not go into effect until January 2024 but will go to court first.

5. Loitering on a public road could, and needs, to be illegal in Alabama. If Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Montgomery) gets his way it will be. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Department of Transportation support the bill. This is also called panhandling.

4. A ruling by State Judge Jimmy Poll claims that Alabama Department of Transportation leader John Cooper acted in “bad faith” in his decision to build a bridge in Baldwin County AND attempted to put a company out of business out of spite. If this ruling stands how does Cooper stay employed by Gov. Kay Ivey?

3. The battle for Space Command rages as the official Space Command Twitter account operated by the Department of Defense had liked a tweet from U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) declaring Huntsville the best place for Space Command HQ. Even the lone Alabama Democrat is cranking up the pressure as well, saying, “To change course would be because of politics and not merit” and Colorado’s junior senator is blaming Trump, because what else can they do?

2. Alabama Democrats’ pathetic behavior could give them a case of electoral dysfunction and could cost them a spot on the primary calendar for the 2024 presidential primary. At issue is the dissolving of multiple identity groups that the Democratic National Committee requires.

1. Every dumb cliche imaginable was displayed at a committee hearing on transgender “What is a woman” legislation in Montgomery yesterday as Democrats argued against defining what a man is. There was transgender military veteran Karen who will sink Space Command HQ’s move to Huntsville if you don’t affirm her because she has White House connections, the rocket scientist that says “it doesn’t take the rocket scientist” but totally is one, and the doctor who doesn’t know male from female made an appearance to talk about how gender is “arbitrary biology.”

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Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The director of the Alabama Department of Transportation has been accused of acting in bad faith related to a bridge project in Baldwin County.

In a ruling Wednesday, State Judge Jimmy Pool released an 80-page order accusing ALDOT Director John Cooper of acting in bad faith and intentionally attempting to put a private company out of business while concealing his efforts from the public.

ALDOT said it plans to appeal the ruling.

Pool issued an injunction to halt any construction of a state bridge across the intracoastal waterway in Baldwin County. The judge’s order said the evidence “overwhelmingly demonstrates that Director Cooper has acted in bad faith toward BCBC (Baldwin County Bridge Co.) in connection with his decision to build a new bridge.”

The project, including related roadways, was projected to cost more than $120 million.

Despite years of negotiations between Cooper, ALDOT, and the bridge company, the court testimony revealed Cooper’s negotiations were conducted in bad faith, according to a statement from Joe Espy, attorney for BCBC.

Cooper allegedly had no intention of reaching an agreement with the bridge company. Adding to the controversy, ALDOT staff was instructed to remove the phrase “good faith” from a press release initially characterizing Cooper’s discussions as “good faith negotiations,” the statement said.

The judge’s findings raise questions about the accountability of the project, Espy’s statement said.

Cooper testified that he had not discussed the project with Gov. Kay Ivey except for a single mention during a meeting when she first assumed office.

“Today is a victory for the rule of law and the citizens of Alabama,” said Espy. “People in positions of authority representing the government cannot do or say anything they want. When government officials attempt to target businesses through bad faith, the courts of Alabama will hold them accountable.”

The ruling also criticized Cooper’s assertion that he had unilateral authority, a claim the court found inappropriate for his role. The judge countered, “Director Cooper is not above the law and is not permitted to act in bad faith.”

ALDOT said it was disappointed in the ruling and a public bridge is needed.

“We are disappointed in the decision because it’s clear that a new, free bridge is needed to help alleviate traffic congestion and offer a new evacuation option to residents and visitors to Alabama’s Gulf Coast,” ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris said in a statement. “Years of negotiations with the private toll bridge company failed to deliver a solution.

The public benefit of a new, free bridge should outweigh the interests of the private toll bridge company. ALDOT will file a notice of appeal with the Alabama Supreme Court.”

Gov. Kay Ivey’s spokeswoman Gina Maiola said in a statement: “The bottom line is that Governor Ivey is focused on creating a free access road to alleviate congestion in Baldwin County, and who could argue with that during beach and hurricane season?”

Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft agreed and said the ruling could unnecessarily delay the much-needed infrastructure project for the region.

“The need for a new, free bridge is obvious. Baldwin County is the fastest growing county in Alabama, and our beach communities bring in more than 8 million visitors annually,” Craft said.

“The Highway 59 bridge is F-rated and woefully over capacity nine months out of the year. On peak travel weekends – like this weekend – it can take over one hour to drive the 11 miles from north of Foley to the Beach Boulevard. This is a problem not just for tourist traffic flow, but for residents going to work, emergency vehicles taking people to the hospital, first responders en route to an incident, and for hurricane evacuations.”

“Today’s ruling is unfortunate,” he said.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.

As talk about construction for a new I-10 Mobile Bay bridge heats up, opponents of the infamous 2019 public-private partnership plan developed by the Alabama Department of Transportation are restating their opposition to any proposal that includes tolling.

State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who led an online campaign against the 2019 plan, is among those still insisting on no tolls.

During an appearance on FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show” in Mobile, Zeigler urged policymakers to look for other funding mechanisms and said if ALDOT could find a way to complete the $800 million upgrades to I-20/59 in downtown Birmingham, it could do so with the I-10 Mobile Bay project, as well.

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According to a report last week, efforts were underway for the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to put a new I-10 Mobile Bay Bridge proposal back on its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) after being removed in 2019 to prevent the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) from proceeding with a controversial toll bridge proposal.

Under ALDOT’s public-private partnership plan, backed by Gov. Kay Ivey, travelers across the bridge that would have connected Mobile and Baldwin Counties would have paid $6 each way.

State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Daphne), whose district is adjacent to the proposed project’s site, expressed his shock the proposal was back on the table during an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “Midday Mobile.” He also signaled his distrust of Ivey and ALDOT Director John Cooper for the way they had proceeded in the past.

(more…)

Last week, Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper singled out two members of the Alabama House, State Reps. Brett Easterbrook (R-Fruitdale) and Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), for raising concerns about overdue road improvement projects in the House districts.

In an appearance at the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s Rural Development Conference, Cooper shrugged off his agency’s inability to improve those two roads, which included U.S. Highway 45 in Mobile and Washington Counties in Easterbrook’s district and Alabama Highway 53 in Madison and Limestone Counties in Whitt’s district.

Cooper said, “I’m sorry that I can’t fix it,” referring to one of the projects.

During an interview on Huntsville radio WVNN’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” State Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison) pushed back against Cooper for his remarks regarding Alabama Highway 53, and insisted there was a movement underway in the legislature to set up a highway commission, which could strip Cooper of some of his decision-making power.

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MONTGOMERY — Speaking during the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s inaugural Rural Development Conference on Wednesday, Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper addressed State Rep. Brett Easterbrook’s (R-Fruitdale) recent comments about his rural southwest Alabama district being “overlooked” since 1983 when it comes to highway investments.

Cooper’s comments came after one of the economic development professionals in the audience brought up the subject of U.S. Highway 45.

Easterbrook had cited that highway as “the deadliest highway in the state,” as well as an economic development disadvantage since it is not four-laned through his district.

Cooper on Wednesday said, “Representative Easterbrook skewers me at every opportunity over Highway 45. But he’s just one of a number around the state of Alabama who skewer me over that type of problem.” (more…)

7. Then there were ten

On Thursday, the Democratic National Committee announced the candidates who have qualified for the upcoming presidential primary debate on September 12 in Houston, and it’s only half of the last debate’s total.
There are only ten candidates who have qualified for the upcoming debate: former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ); South Bend, IN Mayor Pete Buttigieg; U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA); former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro; former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX); U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MD); entrepreneur Andrew Yang; and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

6. JSU is being called out for using “crucifixion” imagery

The new Jacksonville State University college football hype video opens with “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” playing, followed by red or white paint dripping down player’s limbs.
Some people have said that the video is using crucifixion imagery and are upset with the video due to religious reasons, however even if you aren’t offended by the video you can’t deny that it’s just plain weird.

5. Trump has established the U.S. Space Command (more…)

For most of us in the state of Alabama, the opposition to the Mobile Bay Bridge and Bayview project was little more than an exercise in good government.

Should we be using tolls after the state just raised gasoline taxes 10 cents a gallon?

Will the Alabama Department of Transportation be looking at toll projects as a way to do new projects and will that impact I-20, I-565, I-65 or other regional road systems?

Are Governor Kay Ivey and her appointed bureaucrats listening to the citizens of the state? (more…)

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth on Wednesday released a statement supporting the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) vote to effectively kill the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway toll project.

A release from Ainsworth’s office explicitly stated the toll project “was proposed and promoted by Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper.”

Ainsworth is one of nine statutory members of the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge, and Tunnel Authority, and recently announced his opposition to the toll project.

“Daphne Mayor Dane Haygood and the members of the Eastern Shore MPO should be commended for listening to the citizens they represent, giving voice to their concerns, and voting to end the ill-conceived and fatally-flawed toll bridge project connecting Baldwin and Mobile counties,” the lieutenant governor said to begin his Wednesday statement. (more…)

Last week, State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) director John Cooper engaged in a spirited back-and-forth at an informational session hosted by ALDOT for legislators from Mobile County. During the meeting, Cooper made impromptu remarks and claimed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) had broad authority in determining what is law and what is not law when it came to constructing a highway project that receives federal money, which would include the proposed I-10 Mobile Bay Bridge.

As it stands now, that bridge would be tolled given its enormous $2.1 billion price tag. That amount has ballooned with some pointing to ALDOT’s interpretation that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards being used by Cooper as the basis for the plan reconstructing the existing Bayway portion so that it is at a higher elevation and would, in theory, be able to withstand a potential 100-year hurricane storm surge.

Late Friday, Mobile’s FOX 10 WALA cited an unnamed federal official denying Cooper’s claim. However, during an appearance on Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5 on the heels of last week’s ALDOT meeting, Simpson questioned the notion of the FHWA being able to decide what is and is not law and what is not as Cooper had claimed.

(more…)

Wednesday at an informational meeting for members of the Mobile County legislative delegation, things got a little heated between Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper and State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne).

According to Mobile’s FOX 10 WALA’s Tyler Fingert, Cooper had previously planned not to speak at the meeting. That would have been keeping in line with what appears to be Cooper’s low-profile as the I-10 Mobile Bay Bridge brouhaha has transpired.

However, he broke that silence and spoke for a little more than 20 minutes about the hurdles he and his agency had faced in getting the project in line with what he said were requirements of the Federal Highway Administration and the issues with the Mobile County and Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) potentially removing the project on their long-term Transportation Improvement Plans (TIP).

At the tail end of his remarks, Cooper and Simpson engaged in a back-and-forth about the Mobile delegation’s role in opposing the project and a potential vote on it by both the Mobile and Baldwin County delegation with Cooper warning Simpson about the responsibility he was taking.

(more…)

Tuesday on Birmingham radio’s Talk 99.5, State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who is one of the leaders of the effort challenging the proposed I-10 Mobile Bayway toll, spoke out critically of Alabama Department of Transportation director John Cooper.

Zeigler blamed Cooper for the tolling proposal and said such type toll proposals were the vision of Cooper for the future in Alabama.

He was asked by “Matt & Aunie Show” co-host Andrea Lindenberg what the possible motivations could be for the tolling proposal given the negative politics surrounding it. Zeigler initially called it “insanity” before invoking former Alabama Democratic Gov. George Wallace.

(more…)

Radio talk show host Dale Jackson and Dr. Waymon Burke take you through this week’s biggest political stories, including:

— After the Mueller hearings bust, what now for Democrats?

— Is the FAIR Tax fair, and does it have a chance in Alabama?

— Is Tommy Tuberville’s pledge to forgo a salary just a smart campaign ploy? (more…)

By ALDOT Director John Cooper

The Alabama Department of Transportation is working to improve and replace the elevated portions of Interstate 59/20 through downtown Birmingham’s Central Business District (CBD). These bridge structures are more than 40 years old and were originally designed for 80,000 vehicles per day. Today’s traffic count is approximately 160,000 daily vehicles, and we have reached a point that replacement is necessary.

The work will be divided into three phases, the first of which is under construction. When Phase Two starts later this spring, contractors will begin constructing new ramps leading into and out of downtown Birmingham. In order to maintain access to the city during construction, all work on the new ramps will be completed before existing access points are closed. In Phase Three, the mainline bridges will be taken down and replaced, while through traffic on I-59/20 will be rerouted along I-459 and other routes until the new bridges are completed.

As ALDOT director I have been personally involved with this project for more than four years. I also lived in the Birmingham area for two decades, and remain a frequent user of I-59/20. My deep understanding of the project leaves me convinced that the plan to replace and improve the bridges is not only the best option, it is the only viable solution from among many that have been considered.

Other Options Were Considered

ALDOT’s original plan was to replace the current bridge decks on top of the existing foundations for an estimated $150 million. In 2012, however, the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County asked ALDOT to consider replacing the existing structures with new construction to help reduce noise and improve aesthetics.

Upon further review, we realized we could improve the design to better handle current traffic movements and allow for safer driving conditions. Also, unlike the existing bridges, replacement bridges could allow for wide shoulders and auxiliary lanes to provide space for first responders to address emergencies and remove disabled vehicles with less traffic impact. Additionally, we realized that reconfiguring the on- and off-ramps would eliminate two “weave” conditions, or unsafe lane changes, further enhancing overall safety.

None of these persistent problems would be addressed by simply re-decking the existing bridge foundations.

Nevertheless, in order to fully understand all options, and in keeping with the City’s request, ALDOT also explored two scenarios for re-routing I-59/20 along the Finley Boulevard Corridor, a “short” and “long” route. Both scenarios have challenges. Most notably, federal policy disapproves of building a roadway through a minority or low-income area while another satisfactory route is available. The practical effect of that federal policy makes it highly unlikely ALDOT would receive federal funding to relocate I-59/20 along the Finley Corridor, and insufficient state funds are available to do so without federal support.

Additionally, both projected re-route paths run adjacent to or along the existing Finley Corridor in an effort to avoid destroying existing businesses on both sides where possible. The short route carries I-59/20 through the Finley corridor beginning near Tallapoosa Street to I-65, then southward to the existing I-59/20 interchange. The long route follows a similar path, but extends farther along the existing Finley Corridor to US-78 north of the Burlington Northern Railroad Yard.

While the short re-route encompasses a distance of only 2.5 miles, a number of problems are encountered along the way, including the requirement that a 1.3 mile stretch of I-65 be widened from four lanes to at least eight in each direction. This expansion would require ALDOT to acquire large amounts of property in minority and low-income neighborhoods, including Enon Ridge and Fountain Heights. Another challenge is that under either scenario the re-route path is located in the Village Creek floodplain, portions of which contain hazardous materials and historical sites. This would require the re-routed interstate to be elevated similar to the current CBD bridges.

If pursued, the short plan would require the construction of an elevated interstate through the middle of minority and low-income neighborhoods at a total cost exceeding $1.5 billion. Even if this were feasible, it would require more than 20 years to complete. Since the width of this interstate would be wider than the current roadway, and must avoid the Burlington Northern Railroad Yard, the long route would force the demolition of nearly all the businesses along the existing Finley Corridor. This effort would take at least 28 years and cost over $2 billion.

ALDOT Moving Forward With Best, Only Viable Option

If others wish to explore plans for a future “move to Finley,” ALDOT will cooperate with those efforts. However, ALDOT is already committing $450 million to reconstruct this interstate. We do not have additional funds to re-examine alternate routes that are unfeasible and impractical, especially with our knowledge of the prohibitive conditions and tremendous expense of those alternatives.

ALDOT’s project is ready to go. It results in real progress, it can be done, and we can pay for it. That is not true of the other alternatives. The new CBD bridges will provide a safer design, and represent the best option for this vital interstate route through Alabama’s largest city.