Britt Presses for I-65 Expansion, Gains Support from Transportation Secretary

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) has renewed her push to widen Interstate 65, securing a commitment from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Thursday.

The hearing, which reviewed President Donald Trump's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the Department of Transportation, provided Britt an opportunity to advocate for Alabama's infrastructure needs. She emphasized the importance of expanding I-65, a major north-south artery running through the state.

"When we're talking about big, beautiful transportation projects that you mentioned, President Trump has made it a priority," Britt said. "He has said publicly that he wants to see I-65 widened. He wants to see it to be a [three] lane road there on each side. He said he was committed to making that happen." 

Britt highlighted the congestion issues on I-65, particularly during peak travel seasons. "Look, we know how important that is for our state. Anyone who wants to travel in Alabama gets stuck on I-65," she noted. "However, all of these great people who, during the spring and summer want to come to Alabama's beautiful, white sand Gulf Coast or, maybe even the Florida Panhandle, come right down 65."

She stressed the necessity of federal involvement in the project, stating, "There's no way that project happens without a partnership with the federal government." Britt sought Duffy's commitment to consider the expansion, saying, "I want your commitment to making sure that we take a look at what President Trump has promised, and we figure out how to make that happen." 

Secretary Duffy responded affirmatively, assuring Britt, "I would just say the president's priorities are also my priority. So, yes, I'll take a look at that." 

The proposed widening of I-65 has garnered support from other Alabama officials, including Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth. Ainsworth has been a vocal advocate for the project for years, and his Ainsworth plan for widening I-65–a phased approach to funding and construction of the expansion, focusing on sections that will have the most immediate impact and can be completed in a timely manner—has been endorsed by the I65 Coalition and their Go Wide I65 initiative.

President Trump has also endorsed widening I-65, telling the ALGOP Summer dinner in August, 2023 that “One of the first things that I will do to help the great people of Alabama is to approve a six-lane I65 from Huntsville to Mobile.”

Senator Britt’s complete questioning of the Secretary is HERE.