BIRMINGHAM- Today, following another catastrophic accident at the intersection known as “Malfunction Junction”, Congressman Spencer Bachus has announced that Federal funding will be available to speed the reconstruction and reopening of the I-59 overpass.
In a letter to Governor Bob Riley, Congressman Bachus said that the Federal Highway Administration is authorized to pay up to $100 million in emergency relief funding for the damage caused by this disaster. If the reconstruction of the I-59 overpass takes less than 180 days, as was the case two years ago following a similar accident, the Federal Highway Administration is authorized to pay 100% of the cost.
“This emergency funding will ensure that not one penny of Alabama transportation dollars will have to be diverted from other highway priorities to pay for the reconstruction,” Bachus said.
“The temporary shutdown of I-59 will again demonstrate how dependent our area is on an effective and efficient transportation system. That’s why we’ve got to continue working for the Northern Beltline, the completion of Corridor X and other high priority highway needs.”
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