FAIRHOPE — City of Fairhope is requesting over $10 million from state and federal officials for several road upgrades.

The request comes after Fairhope City Council unanimously voted for it during their meeting on Monday, May 11. According to documents, the city is asking for $1,246,100 from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) via a Transportation Alternatives Plan (TAP) grant. The funds would be used for the installation of a four-way pedestrian crosswalk signal at the intersection of State Roads 104 and 181, an area that includes commercial space such as the Planter's Pointe Shopping Center as well as the USA Health Family MAPP Campus.

TAP grants were created through a federal funding initiative approved by Congress to provide funding for non-roadway related infrastructure projects such as walking spaces and bike trails.

The city is also requesting $9 million from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) via the Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. The money will be used for multiple street projects, including intersection improvements located along Ingleside Street, Mobile Street and Bishop Road, in addition to some pedestrian improvement projects in the downtown area.

The SS4A grant program was created in 2021 under President Joe Biden's administration with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with the program's funding of around $5 billion set to last through the end of the 2026 fiscal year. According to USDOT, around $1 billion was still available for allocation this year and applications for the final round of funding are due May 26.