Industrial Access Road and Bridge Program

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) administers the Industrial Access Program to support economic development by improving transportation infrastructure that directly benefits new or expanding industrial facilities. The program’s foundation lies in Section 23-6-1(5) of the Code of Alabama, which mandates that industrial access funds be used to create or enhance public access infrastructure—not for retail operations. Projects funded through this program must promote job creation and capital investment, reinforcing Alabama’s commitment to bolstering its industrial base. ALDOT's Industrial Access Program supports public road and bridge improvements on publicly owned rights-of-way—state, city, or county. Any infrastructure developed through this program must accommodate general public use and comply with established design and construction standards for state-funded projects. Once completed, the maintenance responsibility of the infrastructure falls to the sponsoring city or county unless the improvements are on facilities already maintained by the state. This provision ensures ongoing public benefit from the infrastructure enhancements. Eligible projects must involve industries that are either new or expanding and demonstrate a commitment to capital investment and employment growth. An essential prerequisite is that before the qualifying facility is “placed in service,” the project sponsor or their local development agency must notify the Alabama Department of Commerce of their intention to seek incentives under Section 41-9-202.1 of the Code of Alabama. Since October 9, 2008, application submissions to the Industrial Access Road and Bridge Corporation must include an acknowledgment letter from the Secretary of Commerce confirming receipt of this notification. The submission process is structured around quarterly board meetings, where project proposals are reviewed. Applications must be submitted by clearly defined deadlines to be considered at each respective meeting. The nearest upcoming deadlines are January 9, 2026, and April 3, 2026. Interested entities must submit their completed applications—available in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF formats—to ALDOT before these deadlines. The application includes a fill-in-the-blank form that must be completed, printed, signed, and physically submitted. Evaluation of proposals likely considers the industrial project’s scale, projected economic impact, and alignment with program goals, though explicit evaluation criteria are not listed. Effective coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce is critical, particularly regarding incentive eligibility acknowledgment. Applicants are encouraged to begin the process early and ensure all required documentation is prepared and submitted promptly to meet deadlines. For further information or technical assistance, inquiries may be directed to Edward Austin, P.E., at 334-242-6318. Additional support is available through ALDOT's main line at 334-353-6554. Applications and associated forms can be found on ALDOT's website. The program is recurring, with standard deadlines in January, April, and August each year, allowing multiple opportunities for eligible applicants to secure infrastructure funding that supports industrial development across Alabama.