Swayback Bridge carries traffic across on Hustleville Road
From STAFF REPORTS
WASHINGTON — Rep. Robert Aderholt announced Marshall County has been awarded a $16.17 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace the Swayback Bridge on Hustleville Road.
The award is the only BUILD Grant awarded in Alabama this year, making it a significant investment not only for Marshall County but for the entire state.
The project will replace the existing Swayback Bridge and realign about 2,000 feet of Hustleville Road. The new bridge will be about 1,000 feet long and 40 feet wide and will include widened shoulders, improved roadway geometry, enhanced safety features, and the relocation and upgrade of a water line beneath the bridge deck.
“This is tremendous news for Marshall County and for the thousands of residents, school buses, emergency vehicles, farmers and businesses that depend on the Swayback Bridge every day,” Aderholt said.
“Anyone who has driven this stretch of road understands why this project has been such a priority. Replacing this aging bridge will make travel safer, improve reliability, and strengthen an important transportation corridor for years to come.”
Last year, Aderholt wrote directly to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, urging the Department of Transportation to give strong consideration to Marshall County’s BUILD Grant application.
“Marshall County, the largest county entirely in my congressional district, is seeking $17,330,826 in grant funding to replace the aging Swayback Bridge on Hustleville Road and to realign the hazardous curvature of the roadway,” Aderholt wrote.
“Originally constructed in the 1960s, Swayback Bridge has a sufficiency rating of only 50.9 out of 100 and serves as a vital transportation corridor for northeastern Alabama, accommodating over 4,000 vehicles daily. The sharp curve on Hustleville Road has been the site of numerous accidents, further underscoring the urgency of this project.
“This project aligns with the President (Donald) Trump’s commitment to improving America’s infrastructure by investing in what most Americans consider to be real infrastructure, like roads and bridges,” he continued. “Replacing Swayback Bridge with a modern, wider, and safer structure and redesigning Hustleville Road’s approach will enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion on U.S. Route 431, and ensure reliable access for the region.”
The Leader reported earlier this year that the Marshall County Commission asked for just under $17.7 million in federal funding to complete the project.
“I was proud to advocate for this project and appreciate Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation for recognizing its importance,” Aderholt continued.
“Competitive grants like BUILD are never easy to secure, which makes this award especially meaningful. The fact that Marshall County received Alabama’s only BUILD Grant this year speaks to both the strength of this application and the critical need for this investment.”
Aderholt also commended the Marshall County Commission and local officials for their leadership in developing the project.
“I want to congratulate the Marshall County Commission and Commission Chairman John Young and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this application together,” Aderholt said.
“Their persistence and vision made today’s announcement possible. I look forward to seeing construction begin and to the lasting benefits this project will provide for the people of Marshall County.”
The BUILD Grant program provides competitive federal funding for nationally and regionally significant transportation projects that improve safety, mobility, and economic opportunity.
U.S Rep. Robert Aderholt (left) and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
