Northport Considering Joining Push For State To Buy Toll Bridge

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport City Council on Monday night will consider sending a resolution to Gov. Kay Ivey encouraging the state to purchase the Black Warrior Parkway Toll Bridge.

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This comes after similar resolutions were passed by the Tuscaloosa City Council and the Tuscaloosa County Commission in recent weeks.

"The City of Northport is happy to stand in unity with our other local governments to allow easier and more convenient access to schools, jobs, and retail development within Tuscaloosa County," Northport City Administrator Glenda Webb told Patch.

As Patch previously reported, 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.

If the state follows through with the purchase, the toll would be removed and the Tuscaloosa By-Pass would become a public bridge, which would be similar to an agreement earlier this year that saw the state purchase the Foley Beach Express Bridge in Orange Beach.

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.

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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