Gov. Bentley announces 105 road upgrades statewide | News

Governor Robert Bentley announced a major roadway and bridge improvement plan for areas across the entire state. The Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP) calls for 105 projects to begin across Alabama with local cities and counties contributing 20 percent of the cost and federal funding will cover the rest.

The cost is estimated to be $138 in contruction work, which will also create jobs statewide.

Bentley hopes to OK about a hundred projects three times a year. He says he hopes it adds up to about a billion dollars over that time span.

[Click here to see a list of all of the planned road projects in the ATRIP initiative.]

See more details in a press release from the Governor's Office below:

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced 105
road and bridge improvement projects that will now be able to move forward as
part of the first round of funding for ATRIP – the Alabama Transportation
Rehabilitation and Improvement Program.

ATRIP is the largest road and bridge improvement program in Alabama's history. 
The improvements are designed to enhance safety and quality of life for people
in communities across the state.  Further, the transportation projects
will also serve as an economic development tool.  Updated roads and
bridges will help the state recruit additional jobs from companies that depend
on a modern, solid infrastructure to transport goods.

"From large cities to rural areas, the people of this state
deserve reliable, safe roads and bridges," Governor Bentley said.  "School
buses should not have to be detoured around substandard bridges. 
Communities need help improving roads that are currently over capacity or in
need of various safety improvements."

"Also, companies depend on updated roads and bridges to help them
safely conduct business and make deliveries," Governor Bentley added.  "As
we improve our infrastructure, we will improve the business climate in the
state and make Alabama
more attractive to businesses seeking to locate here and bring additional
jobs."

Governor Bentley first unveiled the ATRIP program in
February.  Cities and counties across the state then submitted project
proposals for the initial round of funding.  ATRIP applications were
analyzed by the Alabama Department of Transportation.  Eligible projects
were reviewed by an advisory committee, which, in conjunction with Governor
Bentley, made the final project funding decisions.

There were applications representing 64 of Alabama's 67 counties, with at least one
project from 61 counties approved in the first phase of funding.  Every
eligible applicant received at least one project.  At least two additional
rounds of funding are planned, one in fall 2012 and one in spring 2013. 
Projects not selected in the initial phase of funding are eligible for
submission during the second and third phases.

Projects approved in ATRIP's first phase of funding range from
rural to urban and include resurfacing, additional lanes, intersection
upgrades, and 36 local bridge replacements.  The 105 projects announced
Thursday represent $138.5 million in funding during the initial round of ATRIP.

Funding for ATRIP comes through the use of GARVEE bonds. GARVEE is
the term commonly used to describe the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles Bond
Program.

Through the use of GARVEE bonds, Alabama is able to access future federal
dollars now in order 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 in construction projects.

"By using GARVEE bonds, we are able to make much-needed
improvements without raising taxes," Governor Bentley said.  "In addition,
this program will create construction jobs across the state as projects move forward,
and by making areas more attractive to prospective employers, the ATRIP program
will help with the long-term recruitment of even more jobs in the future."

The projects will require a 20 percent funding match provided by
either the local government or through a local public-private partnership, with
the remaining 80 percent provided by GARVEE bonds.

Projects are evaluated on several factors.  Some of the
criteria involved in the application and evaluation process include the ability
to provide the required local match, the functional classification of the road,
bridge sufficiency ratings, traffic counts, project delivery timeline, safety,
connectivity with other highway infrastructure, innovation, partnerships, and
economic, industrial or educational impacts.