The Alabama Department of Transportation and federal partners announced Thursday a revised plan for the long‑planned Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge that narrows the project’s initial scope and raises projected tolls for area drivers. Officials said the change clears a path to begin construction this year, with an opening targeted for 2031.
What changed: scope and tolling
Under the newest framework, the state will proceed with a downtown cable‑stayed bridge across the Mobile River while postponing the previously contemplated replacement of the Bayway — at least for the initial phase. ALDOT said the Trump administration has agreed to provide funding for the bridge itself while pushing a Bayway replacement to a later date.
- Timeline: ALDOT projects ground‑breaking this year and an opening by 2031, consistent with a roughly five‑year construction schedule.
- Bridge design: The new span will be a cable‑stayed bridge rising to about 215 feet.
- Tolls: Passenger vehicles with an ALGO pass would pay $3 per crossing; a $60 per month unlimited pass also will be offered; multi‑state transponder holders, such as SunPass users, would pay $7.70 per crossing.
- Other roads: The Causeway and tunnels in the area will remain toll‑free.
Local consequences and reactions
For Mobile commuters and businesses, the immediate effects will come down to access and cost. The $3 per crossing ALGO rate is higher than the $2.50 cap local leaders had pledged in 2021 when the project was revived after an earlier plan was shelved amid public resistance to higher tolls. ALDOT officials argued the increase reflects inflation since 2021, while offering the monthly pass as an option for frequent users.
“This is a critical project, not just for Alabama but for the entire region,”
That statement from U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville was included in ALDOT’s released remarks Thursday. Senators and other officials framed the revised deal as a way to move forward after years of uncertainty, but postponing the Bayway replacement narrows the immediate scope of federal commitments and leaves a major corridor question for the future.
| Pass or user | Proposed cost | Comparison to 2021 pledge |
|---|---|---|
| ALGO passenger vehicle | $3.00 per crossing | Up from $2.50 cap |
| Monthly unlimited pass | $60 per month | Higher than earlier proposal |
| Multi‑state transponder (e.g., SunPass) | $7.70 per crossing | Newly specified |
The schedule and funding changes will be closely watched by the Port of Mobile, freight haulers and commuters who depend on the I‑10 corridor. A bridge that opens by 2031 could improve regional mobility and reduce conflicts with maritime traffic downtown, but the deferred Bayway work leaves existing traffic patterns and local concerns unresolved for now.
What remains uncertain
Officials have not released full financial details in this announcement, and public debate over toll levels and equity is likely to continue as ALDOT moves toward contract awards and construction. Local leaders who previously fought high tolls may now face constituent questions about the higher per‑crossing cost and the long horizon before Bayway improvements are addressed.
For Mobile residents, the immediate takeaway is that the project is back on a defined trajectory: a taller, cable‑stayed bridge planned for downtown, a stated construction start this year, a target opening in 2031, but with higher tolls and a postponed Bayway replacement shaping who benefits and who pays in the near term.
