The Mobile Bayway project is moving forward again.
After ending negotiations with its original contractor team, ALDOT is now working with the same crew building the Mobile River Bridge—Kiewit Massman Traylor.
These are big players with experience, and they’re stepping in to handle design and construction of the Bayway portion too.
The Alabama Department of Transportation expects to receive a full price proposal by mid-2025, finalize plans by fall, and start breaking ground before the year ends.
It’s a fast-paced timeline for a project that’s had its share of delays.
A Long Time Coming
This isn’t a brand-new idea. The I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project has been talked about for over two decades.
The goal is simple: replace the existing low-lying bridges that flood easily and get choked with traffic.
The new Bayway would include two separate three-lane bridges built higher off the water, strong enough to handle hurricanes and daily rush hour.
It’s part of a bigger vision to ease congestion, improve hurricane evacuation, and make travel between Mobile and Baldwin counties smoother and safer.
Roadblocks Along the Way
Things haven’t always gone according to plan. Past versions of the project faced strong backlash over tolls.
That backlash caused the whole thing to stall back in 2019. ALDOT regrouped and eventually rolled out a new approach with local input and fewer toll-related frustrations.
Money has also been a challenge. The project isn’t cheap, so ALDOT is applying for a federal loan through the TIFIA program to help cover nearly half of the total cost.
Between funding hurdles, contractor changes, and environmental studies, it’s been a long ride just to get to this point.
What the New Plan Looks Like
The updated Bayway design focuses on safety, durability, and capacity. It’ll sit higher above the water to avoid flooding, with more lanes to reduce bottlenecks.
The goal is to future-proof this key stretch of I-10, so it can handle both growth and Gulf Coast storms.
The Kiewit Massman Traylor team is expected to bring efficiency and momentum.
Since they’re already handling the Mobile River Bridge, they’ll be coordinating both segments for a smoother rollout.
That should make it easier to keep everything on schedule—and hopefully on budget.
What’s Next on the Timeline
If all goes well, ALDOT will issue the green light by the end of 2025 and construction will kick off soon after.
In the meantime, Mobile city officials are working on agreements that spell out responsibilities during and after the project.
There’s even been talk of adding features like an observation tower along the route.
With progress finally picking up, the Bayway project is back in motion. And by this time next year, the view across Mobile Bay could look very different—with cranes in the air and big changes on the horizon.
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