MOBILE, AL — The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) announces that the continued development of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project will move forward under the Kiewit Massman Traylor (KMT) team. KMT is the joint venture team previously chosen to design and build the cable-stayed bridge portion of the project. KMT has begun key pre-construction testing in Mobile, Alabama.

“This is an important and positive development for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project,” ALDOT Chief Engineer Ed Austin said. “Kiewit Massman Traylor and their team are hitting the ground running as they take over this portion of the project.”

As part of the design and pre-construction process, KMT has developed a Pile Load Test Program. The program will evaluate the strength as well as the stability of the concrete foundation piles that will support the new structures. The testing will be conducted at six locations along the planned bridge route. The program will test 24-inch square precast concrete piles to ensure they meet the necessary standards for the project.

Before testing begins, crews will prepare each site and bring in equipment, including cranes, support vehicles, and concrete piles. This testing is not expected to impact traffic on Interstate 10.

Key outstanding issues prior to groundbreaking include the agreement of an acceptable guaranteed maximum price for the project and the finalization of the federal TIFIA loan. ALDOT is engaged with the U.S. Department of Transportation on the loan process and remains optimistic that a groundbreaking can occur before the end of the year.