Alabama Politicians Applaud $550 Million I-10 Project Despite Opposing Its Funding Source

Republican members of Alabama's congressional delegation have lauded the recent announcement of $550 million in federal funding for the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project in southern Alabama. This new Bayway will replace the existing I-10 Bayway, connecting Mobile to the U.S. 98 exit in Daphne, spanning approximately 7.4 miles.

Despite their praises, none of the Republicans who cheered the grant voted for the 2021 infrastructure bill that funded the project—a point highlighted by Alabama's sole Democrat in Washington.

Rep. Jerry Carl, who represents the Mobile district where the project is centered, tweeted, "What a great day for south Alabama! This project is now one huge step closer to reality, and I’m proud of all the work Team Alabama has accomplished together.”

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., echoed this sentiment, tweeting, “Proud to announce that the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project will be receiving a $550 million grant from the Department of Transportation. This is a HUGE WIN for Mobile, the state of Alabama, and the entire Southeast region.”

Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, also celebrated the funding as “a major victory for Alabama!”

However, Tuberville, Moore, and Carl all voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill that facilitated the U.S. Department of Transportation Bridge Investment Program grant, which will support the estimated $3.5 billion I-10 project. Former Sen. Richard Shelby, along with Reps. Robert Aderholt, Gary Palmer, and Mike Rogers, also opposed the bill.

After voting against the bill in 2021, Palmer stated, “I fully support funding for infrastructure that is focused on national priorities rather than wasting hundreds of billions of dollars on a Green New Deal wish list and programs under the guise of human infrastructure that simply expand government control of our lives.”

Sen. Katie Britt, who was not a senator at the time but voiced opposition to the bill, commented in 2021, “I would have been a firm ‘no’ vote on this bill on its own merits, but knowing it’s simply a means to an end for Democrats to force through their radical $3.5 trillion wish list without any Republican support makes today’s vote even more disappointing.”

Regarding the recent I-10 announcement, Britt said, “This $550 million investment in the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project is a huge win for Alabamians and any American who drives along I-10. I was proud to help lead Alabama’s entire congressional delegation in support of this well-deserved grant award.”

A spokeswoman for Britt affirmed that the senator’s stance on the infrastructure bill remains unchanged. “She explicitly said at that time that she wanted more money in that bill to go to bridges rather than Democrats’ partisan Green New Deal agenda,” the spokeswoman noted.

Efforts by the Cotton State Chronicle to reach spokespeople for Tuberville, Carl, and Moore were unsuccessful.

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, the only Democratic federal lawmaker representing Alabama, retweeted Tuberville’s announcement while pointing out that no GOP member from the state voted for the law. “My Alabama colleagues like [Tuberville] are right—this is a MAJOR win,” she said. “It’s a shame he voted against the bill that made it possible. As Alabama’s only Member of Congress to vote FOR President Biden’s Infrastructure Law, I’m proud to see these funds coming to our state!”

This isn't the first instance of Tuberville praising funds from a bill he opposed. Last year, he celebrated Alabama receiving $1.4 billion to expand broadband internet access, funding that also originated from the infrastructure bill. President Joe Biden humorously remarked on Tuberville’s seemingly contradictory stance during a speech, highlighting the senator’s praise for the funds while having opposed the bill.