MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has announced more than $3.7 million in state funding for 12 local road projects across Alabama as part of the Rebuild Alabama Act. Among the recipients is Calhoun County, which will receive $250,000 to resurface 4.5 miles of Bains Gap Road between Iron Mountain Road and Choccolocco Road.
The funding comes from the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) Annual Grant Program, a component of the Rebuild Alabama Act signed into law in 2019. The legislation sets aside a minimum of $10 million annually from the state’s share of gas tax revenue for local infrastructure projects. Cities and counties receiving grants this cycle contributed over $3.5 million in matching funds. All projects must begin within one year of award.
“Rebuild Alabama is doing exactly what we promised – fixing roads and bridges in every corner of our state,” Governor Ivey said. “With every round of funding, we’re seeing real improvements along our busiest highways and the local roads Alabamians rely on every day.”
The Calhoun County project will improve access to the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge and enhance connectivity for residents traveling between eastern Calhoun County, McClellan, and the Anniston area.
Senator Keith Kelley praised the funding, stating, “The Rebuild Alabama Local Grant Project for a section of Bains Gap Road will greatly assist our local government officials so that they can use the funds they had allocated for this to other projects.”
Rodney McCain, Chief Engineer for Calhoun County, emphasized the importance of the project: “This project will greatly help in improving the surface of Bains Gap Road, which is the direct access to Longleaf Refuge and a regularly used road for residents in the eastern portion of the County to access McClellan and the Anniston area. We are excited and thankful to be awarded this funding to complete the project.”
Calhoun County Commissioner Lee Patterson added, “We’re grateful to receive this much-needed funding from the State of Alabama. It allows us to prioritize other local needs while still completing critical road improvements.”
Commissioner Carolyn Henderson also expressed appreciation, saying, “It’s money that we appreciate so very much. It will be well spent for Calhoun County.”
Since the Rebuild Alabama Act’s inception, more than $66 million has been awarded through ALDOT’s Annual Grant Program to support local transportation initiatives statewide.
For more information about the Rebuild Alabama Annual Grant Program, visit: https://www.dot.state.al.us/programs/RAAGrantProgram.html
