U.S. Senator Katie Britt Advocates for I-65 Widening, Secures Commitment from Secretary Duffy

‘There’s no way that project happens without a partnership with the federal government’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today attended a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development hearing to review President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget Request for the Department of Transportation. Senator Britt questioned Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy on a number of Alabama priorities, including the widening of I-65.

Senator Britt’s line of questioning included highlighting President Trump’s previous commitment to widen I-65: “When we’re talking about big, beautiful transportation projects that you mentioned, President Trump has made it a priority, 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.”

President Trump has previously discussed his strong commitment to widening I-65 to six lanes. Senator Britt has not only continued to advocate to President Trump’s cabinet for Alabama priorities, but, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has also secured critical funding for transportation infrastructure across the state.

“Look, we know how important that is for our state. Anyone who wants to travel in Alabama gets stuck on I-65. 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,” Senator Britt continued, underscoring the importance of widening the remaining 277 miles of I-65 that run through Alabama.

“[I] would just like your commitment to continuing to take a look at that. There’s no way that project happens without a partnership with the federal government, and [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,” stated the Senator.

Secretary Duffy responded by confirming he would work with Senator Britt, saying, “I would just say the president’s priorities are also my priority. So, yes, I’ll take a look at that.”

The Senator’s full line of questioning can be viewed here.

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