Governor Kay Ivey has wrapped up her Rebuild Alabama Road Tour.
Governor Ivey recently visited three areas – Chilton County, Ariton and Rainsville – in conjunction with announcing the awards from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Annual Grant Program, created by the Rebuild Alabama Act.
The Act, which was overwhelmingly passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Ivey in 2019, requires ALDOT to establish an annual program setting aside a minimum of $10 million off the top of the state’s share of gas tax revenue for local projects.
“From day one of the Ivey administration, I have made clear to the people of our state that improving Alabama’s roads and bridges is a top priority, and I am proud we continue delivering on that promise,” said Governor Ivey. “Our work is not done, and we will continue delivering results in all 67 of our counties.”
On Sept. 30, Governor Ivey announced the latest round of grants, which featured 11 projects across the state. The latest round included projects in Chilton County, the City of Ariton, and the City of Rainsville.
Chilton County
Governor Kay Ivey’s first tour stop was in Chilton County at Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton. She and local representatives discussed the project awarded to Chilton County to resurface County Road 23 from U.S. Highway 31 to the Chilton and Elmore County line, roughly 4.3 miles of road.
The County Road 23 project will cost $1,232,370 to complete. With the state providing the $350,000, the local match amount is $882,370.
Since the start of the Rebuild Alabama Act in 2019, Chilton County has received around $1.5 million in funds each year. Overall, the county has received nearly $7 million from Rebuild Alabama which has led to over 35 miles of road paving and bridge repairs.
“It makes our roads safer,” Chilton County Commission Vice Chairman Randell Kelly said. “They are especially safer for our kids that must ride a school bus. We certainly want to thank everyone who’s had a part in Rebuild Alabama.”
Ariton
Governor Ivey’s second stop was in Ariton. She held a press conference at Ariton Baptist Church to discuss the repaving project. The state is resurfacing 4.85 miles of roads on Creel Richardson Street, Pea River Road, and Atlantic Road. The state provided $250,000 for the project.
Ariton Mayor David Walsh spoke at the event, thanking ALDOT and Governor Ivey for the funds that the town otherwise would not have received if not for the grant.
“Paving is definitely out of our ability to fund on our own, so anytime we get a grant, it is just a huge benefit to us,” Walsh said.
“Small towns like Ariton, we are blessed that we can pay our operating expenses and a few extras,” Walsh said. “When you get into road paving, we are talking about funds that are far beyond our capability. The help that we get through the Rebuild Alabama program is just monumental.”
Rainsville
Ivey held the final stop of the tour at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center in Rainsville. Ivey and local representatives discussed the half-mile resurfacing project on Dilbeck Road from Church Avenue NW to SR-75.
The state awarded Rainsville and Dekalb County $225,000 in funds for the project.
“This is a much-needed project, and that is part of an industrial road that we use all the time,” Rainsville Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt said. “Without Rebuild Alabama, we wouldn’t have the money to do things like this.”
The state has awarded more than $15 million in transportation funds through the application-based program during the 2024 fiscal year. For the first time, ALDOT funded the Annual Grant Program above the minimum $10 million required under the Rebuild Alabama Act.
Since the passage of the Rebuild Alabama Act, the state has awarded state transportation funding to local projects in all 67 counties.
For more information about the Annual Grant Program, visit the program’s dedicated webpage.
