New federal funding law secures $15M for north Alabama, including Slaughter Road project
MADISON – North Alabama is set to receive an additional $15 million in federal Community Project Funding as part of fiscal 2026 appropriations legislation signed into law this week by President Donald Trump, according to U.S. Rep. Dale Strong.
The funding is included in H.R. 7148, the Consolidated App ropriations Act of 2026, one of five fiscal 2026 bills recently signed into law.
The money will be used for transportation, infrastructure and workforce development projects across north Alabama.
“As more families and businesses choose to call North Alabama home, the need for strategic infrastructure improvements and workforce development has never been greater,” Strong, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
The $15 million in funding includes: • $5.5 million for additional lanes on Capshaw Road from Old Monrovia Road to Jeff Road, in Limestone and Madison counties, aimed at relieving congestion and improving public safety while reducing commute times.
• $3 million for a feasibility study to increase transportation capacity over the Tennessee River, allowing the city of Decatur to move toward replacing the current bridge and improving traffic flow along a key economic corridor.
• $1 million for Athens State University to make capital improvements to its Workforce Development and Multipurpose Center, supporting students and mid-career workers in high-demand fields aligned with local employers’ needs.
• $2 million for the Huntsville International Airport West Aviation Center project to enhance aviation infrastructure and strengthen North Alabama’s role in defense, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
• $3.5 million for additional lanes on Slaughter Road in Madison County to address congestion and safety concerns on a heavily traveled commuter route.
Strong said the projects are designed to support long-term economic growth while addressing immediate transportation and workforce challenges across the district.
