Governor Bentley Announces More than 300 New Road and Bridge Projects as Part of ATRIP Initiative
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: February 4, 2013
Governor
Robert Bentley on Monday announced the approval of 302 additional road
and bridge projects, the largest number of projects announced to date
under
the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program
(ATRIP).
With
Monday's announcement, a total of 439 road and bridge projects have
been announced since Governor Bentley formally unveiled his ATRIP
initiative in March of 2012.
ATRIP is the largest road and bridge improvement program in Alabama's history.
"Everyone
benefits from ATRIP," Governor Bentley said. "We're improving public
safety by replacing old bridges and repairing and widening outdated
roads. ATRIP also
helps create jobs. When companies build new facilities, they look for
areas with good roads and bridges. ATRIP is giving them what they
need. The more companies that build and expand in Alabama, the more
jobs we're able to create."
The latest projects are located in 44 counties across the state. To date, 61 of Alabama's 67 counties have received ATRIP funding for various road
and bridge projects.
Governor
Bentley will soon announce details of a bill that will enable Alabama's
remaining six counties to participate in ATRIP. Those counties are:
Fayette, Hale, Lawrence, Marengo, Wilcox and Winston. The governor's
legislative proposal, currently under development, also will allow
several other counties to expand their previous participation.
Funding for ATRIP comes through the use of GARVEE bonds. With GARVEE bonds, Alabama is able to access future federal dollars to pay for road
and bridge projects that are needed immediately.
With
interest rates on municipal bonds at historic lows, the use of GARVEE
bonds makes strong financial sense as the low cost of borrowing is
generally lower than the
rising cost of inflation on construction projects. GARVEE bonds also
allow the state to make needed improvements without raising taxes.
The 302 projects announced Monday are valued at a total of $397.78 million. Since ATRIP started, more than $613 million in projects have been approved.
Cities
and counties across the state submit local project proposals for ATRIP
funding. The applications are analyzed by the Alabama Department of
Transportation. Eligible
projects are reviewed by an advisory committee, which, in conjunction
with Governor Bentley, makes project funding decisions. The committee
consists of ALDOT Director John Cooper, Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, Senator
Paul Bussman, Representative Mac McCutcheon,
Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan and retired county engineers Herb
Huner and Henry Hawkins.
"As
a member of the ATRIP Advisory Committee, it's gratifying to see
counties and cities working together to promote progress and improve
roads and bridges," Lieutenant
Governor Ivey said. "Under Governor Bentley's leadership, the approval
of funding for this recent round of projects plays a vital role in the
long-term economic impact of local communities and the state."
"School
buses shouldn't have to detour around bad bridges, and communities
shouldn't be limited in economic development by outdated roads," Senator
Bussman said. "That's
why ATRIP is so beneficial. This program gives our communities the
roads and bridges they need to address these concerns and improve the
quality of life."
"The
ATRIP committee is working to promote needed highway construction and
maintenance projects throughout Alabama," Rep. McCutcheon said.
"Governor Bentley's leadership
has been instrumental in improving our roads. Working with the Governor
and ALDOT, the ATRIP committee will continue to approve projects that
will increase safety for the public and help create more economic growth and more new jobs."
ATRIP
road and bridge projects require local matching funds of 20 percent
provided by either the local government or through a local
public-private
partnership, with the remaining 80 percent provided by GARVEE bonds.
The Governor's legislative proposal, to be outlined in greater detail
soon, would help municipalities that are currently limited in their
abilities to provide 20 percent matching funds for
ATRIP projects.
At
least one additional round of ATRIP funding is scheduled. Eligible
projects not selected in previous funding rounds are once again eligible
to
be submitted. The deadline for submitting applications for the next
round of funding is May 31.
**A list is attached showing the latest projects approved for ATRIP funding. Additional attachments show projects that were approved in 2012, along with an ATRIP
fact sheet. Further information on ATRIP is available on the ALDOT web site at www.dot.state.al.us.
