Tuberville to Appoint New ALDOT Director if Elected
Alabama gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville pledges to replace the state transportation chief after the November election.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
Live Poll
In your area, should the state prioritize new road construction or fixing existing bridges and roads?
Gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville plans to appoint a new director for the Alabama Department of Transportation if he wins the November 3, 2026, election. His platform prioritizes bridge repairs and interstate expansion over existing road resurfacing.
Why it matters
The proposal marks a shift toward a business-focused management style for state infrastructure as the candidate aims to address severe structural deficiencies. This strategy intends to confront critical safety concerns involving condemned bridges across Alabama.
Approximately 2,000 bridges across Alabama are currently listed as condemned. Candidate Tuberville aims to expand all state interstates to three lanes in each direction.
The players
Tommy Tuberville
He is the Republican candidate for Alabama governor who previously served as a college football head coach.
John Cooper
He serves as the current director of the Alabama Department of Transportation and is approaching retirement.
Doug Jones
He is the Democratic nominee competing for the office of governor in Alabama.
The details
Tuberville's staff has started vetting candidates for the transportation director role, which will open following the retirement of current director John Cooper. The plan emphasizes prioritizing new construction projects to modernize the state's roadway network.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Alabama gubernatorial election.
Market Landscape
Tuberville's plan seeks to pivot state resources away from the Alabama Department of Transportation's current road resurfacing prioritization. This shift positions the candidate's agenda against existing agency protocols to modernize the state's logistical infrastructure.
Residents may see a long-term change in local infrastructure funding if the candidate wins the election. This could influence the speed and location of road construction projects across the state.
The takeaway
Voters should monitor how infrastructure priorities may change between maintenance and new construction. Evaluating these plans helps residents understand the future of bridge safety and interstate traffic capacity.
Further reading
For more information on the current candidates and their platforms, visit the Alabama People section.
Live Poll
In your area, should the state prioritize new road construction or fixing existing bridges and roads?
