Construction Begins on Mobile River Bridge; Florida Drivers Could Face Higher Tolls

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- After nearly three decades of planning, construction is beginning on a new Interstate 10 bridge between Mobile and Baldwin counties — a project that could eventually make trips west faster for Northwest Florida drivers, but also more expensive.

Alabama officials broke ground Friday on the $3.2 billion first phase of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.

Phase One includes construction of a new six-lane cable-stayed bridge over the Mobile River, improvements to interchanges and traffic flow, and restriping the existing Bayway to provide three lanes in each direction.

Construction is expected to take about five years, with the new bridge and Phase One improvements projected to open in late 2031.

Tolls Will Not Begin Until Bridge Opens

No tolls will be collected during construction. Once the new bridge opens, however, the cost will depend heavily on how drivers pay.

The lowest proposed passenger-vehicle rate is $3 per crossing using Alabama's ALGO Pass. A $60 unlimited monthly option is also planned for frequent users.

But that's not necessarily what a Northwest Florida driver using an existing Florida toll account would pay.

ALDOT says drivers using a compatible interoperable transponder — such as Florida's SunPass — are currently slated to pay $7.70 per crossing.

That works out to $15.40 for a round trip between Northwest Florida and Mobile using the new bridge.

Drivers will be able to obtain an ALGO transponder to qualify for the lower rate, with ALDOT saying the transponders are expected to be available free during the initial rollout.

Drivers without a transponder would use pay-by-plate billing, which is expected to carry a substantially higher rate.

Toll-Free Alternatives Remain

Drivers who don't want to pay will still have options.

ALDOT says the existing Wallace Tunnel, Bankhead Tunnel, Africatown Bridge and Causeway will remain toll-free.

The new bridge is intended to provide additional capacity rather than replace those routes.

For Northwest Florida residents traveling toward Mobile, Mississippi or Louisiana, the project is particularly significant because I-10 through Mobile is the primary east-west interstate connection along the central Gulf Coast.

$3.2 Billion First Phase

Financing for Phase One includes a $2.52 billion federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan, a $550 million federal Bridge Investment Program grant and a $125 million INFRA grant, along with state funding and bonds.

The project was divided into phases after rising construction costs made simultaneously building both the new Mobile River Bridge and an entirely new Bayway financially unworkable.

A new Bayway structure is planned for a later phase as additional funding becomes available.