Tuscaloosa County Passes Resolution In Support Of State Purchasing Toll Bridge

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution in support of the State of Alabama purchasing the Tuscaloosa By-Pass toll bridge.

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The measure has gained traction locally after first being introduced by State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Tuscaloosa, who has approached public officials across the county to lobby for their support.

Allen has also spoken publicly to the Tuscaloosa City Council to advocate for the state to purchase the bridge.

Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Rob Robertson said if the state makes the purchase, the toll would be removed and the Tuscaloosa By-Pass would become a public bridge.

The current toll is set at $2 and up for residential vehicles, depending on the number of axles on each vehicle, while starting at $3.50 for commercial vehicles.

"That would be a great benefit to our community and the state did buy the toll bridge in the south part of the state," Robertson said, referring to an agreement earlier this year that saw the state purchase the Foley Beach Express Bridge in Orange Beach.

First opened in 1998, the western by-pass provides an alternate route for the western and northern communities to cross the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa County.

The by-pass connects U.S. Highway 82 and Interstate 20/Interstate 59, along with Highway 171, Highway 43, Highway 69 North and Highway 69 South.

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