Sen. Gerald Allen Renews Push For $1.8 Billion Eastern Bypass In Tuscaloosa County

TUSCALOOSA, AL — State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Tuscaloosa, told local media on Monday that he plans to file a bill tomorrow that, if signed into law, would represent the latest step in Allen's decades-long push for an eastern bypass in Tuscaloosa County.

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If passed by the legislature, the amendment would allow for a countywide vote on allowing the establishment of a savings account for the project that would be maintained by the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission (TCRIC).

The Republican lawmaker said the proposed Tuscaloosa Eastern Bypass project consists of a four-lane denied access highway with full interchanges, with the overarching goal of serving the needs of existing and future growth in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding region.

What's more, Allen explained the proposed bypass would help manage traffic on existing congested roadways, notably U.S. Highway 82 and Alabama Highway 69.

Allen said if all phases of the massive, long-stalled project come to fruition, the total cost of the effort would be $1.8 billion by the time the account sunsets in 2056.

During a press conference on Monday, Allen explained that there are federal matching grants that could cover the largest part of the project, before proposing that the cities of Northport and Tuscaloosa, along with the Tuscaloosa County Commission, contribute funds on a quarterly basis to a new pooled account.

Here's a breakdown of the proposed quarterly funding:

• Tuscaloosa County Commission ($1.25 million)
• City of Tuscaloosa ($1.25 million)
• City of Northport ($625,000)

This account would be used as a mechanism for matching funds for federal discretionary grants and funding, with quarterly payments beginning on Oct. 1, 2026.

“There are currently no plans for any new roads for Tuscaloosa County, the City of Tuscaloosa, or the City of Northport,” Allen said. “There needs to be continued action and discussion for future highway construction with a long-term focus in order to meet our future needs. Tuscaloosa, Northport, and Tuscaloosa County have grown tremendously in recent years and are economic engines for West Alabama. We must position ourselves to be successful by investing locally to leverage new federal funds for this long-term plan for the betterment of Tuscaloosa County.”

Allen said the local bill needs to pass the Senate and House of Representatives before the citizens of Tuscaloosa County would be able to vote on the amendment on the next statewide election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

The proposed bypass, as it is presently designed, has long been a point of contention both for its price tag and the impact on certain residential areas that would be impacted by construction.

Allen said the current path will likely have to be reevaluated due to subdivisions and neighborhoods being built in the years since the bypass project was first conceptualized and designed.

As for the price, Phase I would see improvements from Crescent Ridge Road to Jack Warner Parkway, with Allen saying this phase would cost roughly $101 million. With matching federal funds, he said around $17 million in local dollars would be required to see it completed.

A key point of uncertainty for Allen's measure is how it will be received by the three main elected bodies responsible for contributing local funds.

"Back in May I mailed each leader of our three governments a letter stating this suggestion, asking for feedback," Allen said on Monday. "Back in September, we had a meeting at [Alabama Department of Transportation] on Skyland Boulevard. What i'm doing today will not come as a surprise to elected officials in Tuscaloosa."

Here's a breakdown of the proposed phases presented by Allen on Monday:

• Phase 1: Crescent Ridge Road to Jack Warner Parkway
• Phase 2: Alabama Highway 216 to Crescent Ridge Road
• Phase 3: U.S. Highway 11 to Alabama Highway 216
• Phase 4: Interstate 20/59 to U.S. Highway 11
• Phase 5: Rice Mine Road to Watermelon Road
• Phase 6: Watermelon Road to Alabama Highway 69
• Phase 7: Alabama Highway 69 to U.S. Highway 43

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