Shelby Secures Federal Funding For Tuscaloosa Bridge Replacement, Other Major Projects

TUSCALOOSA, AL — As the final term for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, comes to a close, the longtime policymaker this week announced the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on defense, passed an appropriations package that will see funding provided for a long list of projects in Tuscaloosa.

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Shelby said the measure passed this week contains all 12 Fiscal Year 2023 spending bills.

“Throughout my career, I have done everything in my power to bring success to my home state," Shelby said. "The funding for Alabama in this package is significant in terms of the impact it will have on communities and the overall state-wide economy for generations to come. This package also represents a serious commitment to our national defense, aid for Americans in need as a result of natural disasters, and continuing support for the people of Ukraine as they fight against Russian aggression. While the path to get here was winding at times, I am proud that we have completed our work for the American people."

Here's a look at the federal funding that will impact Tuscaloosa.

• $50 million for the University of Alabama for a permanent endowment fund to support the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty in science and engineering.
• $45 million to the University of Alabama to construct the Center for Hydrologic Computing, which will support CIROH and its co-located partners, the NWC and the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), in hydrologic research, education, and forecasting.
• $10 million for The University of Alabama for an institute on public service and leadership, including a scholars program.
• $100 million for the Alabama Department of Transportation to replace the existing Woolsey Finnell Bridge with a six-lane bridge in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
• $26 million for the Tuscaloosa National Airport for the design and construction of additional runway length.
• $45 million in grant funding for the nation’s protection and advocacy (P&A) system, which includes the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) in Tuscaloosa.
• $40 million in formula state grants for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), which supports the ADAP PAIMI program in Tuscaloosa.
• Provides funding to the U.S. Geological Survey to support the new USGS Hydrological Instrumentation facility, which is located at the University of Alabama: $13.5 million to support integrated water prediction operations; $4 million to assist in future hydrological research and operational efforts; $4.5 million for university partnerships for innovative water resource sensor technologies.
• $5 million for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to establish a Center for Paleo-environmental Records of Extreme Events, which will be located the University of Alabama.
• No less than $38.5 million to support staffing and operations at the National Water Center (NWC), which is located in Tuscaloosa.
• $28.25 million, $8.25 million above the FY22 enacted level, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), which is located at the University of Alabama, to assist NOAA and the National Water Center in addressing the nation’s growing water-related challenges and leveraging CIROH expertise for most operationally relevant research.
• $1 million maintained for the National Centers for Costal Ocean Service to collaborate on research priorities with the NOAA CIROH.

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