The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on May 6 announced the long-awaited Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project will proceed under the direction of a new construction team—Kiewit Massman Traylor (KMT).
KMT, a New Orleans-based joint venture, previously had been selected to design and build the cable-stayed bridge portion of the project. Now, the company is taking on a larger role as the lead contractor on the project and already has begun key pre-construction work in Mobile.
“This is an important and positive development for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project,” said ALDOT Chief Engineer Ed Austin. “Kiewit Massman Traylor and their team are hitting the ground running as they take over this portion of the project.”
The I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Widening Project is a major infrastructure initiative designed to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion, and increase capacity along one of Alabama’s most critical transportation corridors. In addition to building a new cable-stayed bridge across the Mobile River, the project involves widening Interstate 10 to ease traffic bottlenecks, enhance the movement of hazardous materials, and support continued operations within Mobile’s maritime industry.
Support for Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project
Momentum for the project grew after the U.S. Department of Transportation recently named the Mobile River Bridge among 180 infrastructure projects prioritized for accelerated grant approvals.
Last July, the project reached a key milestone when ALDOT was awarded a $550 million federal grant, celebrated by local, state, and federal leaders. “We appreciate the commitment from Secretary Duffy and the Trump Administration to expedite the completion of the funding process,” said ALDOT spokesperson Tony Harris at the time.
In March, ALDOT and the previous construction team, Mobile Bayway Constructors, agreed to part ways for undisclosed reasons. At the time, KMT had been ranked as the second-best option for the job.
Since stepping in, KMT has developed and launched a Pile Load Test Program to assess the strength and stability of the concrete foundation piles that will support the bridge and associated structures. Testing will occur at six locations along the proposed bridge route, using 24-inch square precast concrete piles. According to ALDOT, this phase of the project is not expected to impact traffic on Interstate 10.
At an estimated total cost of $3.5 billion, the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project is the most expensive road construction project in Alabama history. But, before construction can begin, ALDOT will have to finalize a guaranteed maximum price contract and secure a federal loan under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA).
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Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project Fact Sheet
Project Overview
Lead Contractor: Kiewit Massman Traylor (KMT), a New Orleans-based joint venture
Announcement Date: May 6, 2025
Estimated Cost: $3.5 billion (Alabama’s most expensive road construction project to date)
Key Objectives
Improve safety along the I-10 corridor
Reduce traffic congestion in the Mobile Bay area
Increase transportation capacity
Enhance movement of hazardous materials
Support Mobile’s maritime industry operations
Read also: NASA Breaks Ground on New Causeway Bridge in Wallops Island, Virginia
Project Components
New cable-stayed bridge across the Mobile River
Interstate 10 widening
Bayway improvements
Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project Current Status
KMT has begun pre-construction work
Pile Load Test Program launched to assess foundation stability
Testing at six locations using 24-inch square precast concrete piles
No traffic impact expected during testing phase
Funding
$550 million federal grant awarded in July 2024
Project prioritized among 180 infrastructure projects for accelerated grant approvals
TIFIA loan pending finalization
Next Steps
Finalize guaranteed maximum price contract
Secure federal TIFIA loan
Begin main construction phase
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