Governor Kay Ivey spoke at a crowded Chamber of Commerce event at Athens State University on Thursday. During her remarks, she addressed several topics important to Alabamians, including the ongoing statewide development of transportation infrastructure.
“It’s so good to be back on the beautiful campus of Athens State,” Ivey said. “And what a great crowd. This is almost as many folks as turned out to see Keith Urban’s pop-up concert here in Athens last Friday!”
When she discussed the importance of improved infrastructure, Ivey cited data showing an increase in residents across nearly every county in the state.
The steady growth in residents, according to Ivey, is being met with upgrades and expansion of transportation infrastructure throughout the state. “Yellowhammer News recently reported nearly all of our 67 counties attracted more residents last year. People want to be in Sweet Home Alabama,” she said.
“You all are well aware of the work being done on I-65 just south of the Tennessee line, and I can’t wait until it’s complete. And I especially can’t wait to see a new rocket constructed on the site!” she said.
“Thanks to Rebuild Alabama, we have embarked on more than 350 road and bridge projects in all 67 counties.”
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Ivey emphasized that progress is happening throughout much of Alabama.
“We are able to tackle major projects from the top of the state to the bottom, from widening I-565 in Huntsville, to the West Alabama Corridor, to widening I-65, to now pressing on with the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project,” she said.
“We are also able to complete long-awaited projects like the widening of Highway 411 in Cherokee County.”
“We are deepening and widening the Port of Mobile.” One of the main goals of these projects, she noted, is to make Alabama as pro-business as possible.
“Folks, all of these infrastructure improvements—whether it be the fiber in the ground or the widening of our well-traveled roads or the expanding of opportunity in rural Alabama—all these things matter when it comes to making Alabama the most business-friendly state in the nation,” Ivey said.
“And y’all, we’re not slowing down any time soon.”
Additionally, the governor highlighted the popular measure of eliminating tolls on the way to the beach.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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