On Thursday, Jan. 30, Gov. Kay Ivey announced that more than $40 million in state transportation funding was awarded to numerous cities and counties across the state for various roadway enhancement projects, according to a release from the Governor’s Office.

“I am proud of the hard work we have put in throughout my administration to Rebuild Alabama,” Ivey stated in the release. “Rebuild Alabama has helped make us stronger as we have broken ground on hundreds of road and bridge projects all across the state. We have projects improving Alabama in all 67 counties, but our job is not finished, and we are not slowing down now.”

The funds for these projects were made available through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II, also known as ATRIP-II. The program was created back in 2019 by the Rebuild Alabama Act.

The Rebuild Alabama Act has required ATRIP-II to be an annual program that allocates a minimum of $30 million off the top of the Alabama Transportation Department’s share of new gas tax revenue for projects of local interest on the state highway system.

“The ATRIP-II program is making big improvements across Alabama, and I’m excited to see this particular project funded,” District 6 Representative Andy Whitt stated in a media release. “Investing in our roads today means a better and safer future for all of us.”

Whitt helped secure $1,344,348.90 for infrastructure improvements, including the implantation of left turns lanes, for Alabama State Route 53 and Pinedale Road.

“Like myself, many of our friends travel this roadway on a daily basis. We’ve known far too long that this was a dangerous intersection,” Whitt said. “I’m glad to see that the State now agrees. Our work is not done, and I will continue to pledge my efforts in making our community safe.”

Twenty-three other projects were selected for funding as well, for a total of just over $40 million in state transportation funding. Of those awarded projects, 13 were from cities and counties putting forward more than $16 million in local funds, according to the release. Under the ATRIP-II program, there is no requirement that local governments put up matching funds to be eligible.

The state has now awarded more than $221.3 million in state transportation funds under ATRIP-II since the program’s creation in 2019, according to the release.

The projects were selected by the ATRIP-II Committee created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. It is anticipated that a number of projects will be under contract during the 2025 Fiscal Year. All projects are required to move forward within two years of the awarding of funds.

For more information about the ATRIP-II Program, visit https://www.dot.state.al.us/programs/ATRIPII.html.