ATMORE, AL – The Poarch Creek Indians were awarded a historic $24 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to fund a comprehensive infrastructure improvement initiative along Jack Springs Road in Escambia County, Alabama. This represents the largest federal grant the tribe has ever received for a roadway construction project and marks a significant investment in transportation safety, economic development, and long-term infrastructure improvements for the area.
The four-phase project will improve travel conditions for tribal citizens, local residents, emergency responders, commercial traffic, and visitors by modernizing one of the area’s most heavily traveled roadways. Construction is expected to span approximately two years, with the overall project anticipated for completion by March 2028.
“This historic investment represents far more than improvements to a roadway,” said Poarch Creek Indians Tribal Council Member Keith Martin. “It is an investment in the safety, quality of life, and future of our community. These permanent infrastructure improvements will provide safer travel, improve emergency response access, reduce flooding concerns, and strengthen our transportation network for generations to come. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration for this significant investment in our community.”
The approximately $4 million construction on Phase 1 is scheduled to begin with road closures and includes: widening existing lanes, adding paved safety shoulders, road resurfacing, adding shoulder rumble strips, and improving drainage infrastructure to reduce the likelihood of flooding. These permanent improvements are designed to enhance safety, improve mobility, and provide a more resilient transportation corridor for tribal citizens and the traveling public.