Escambia County has received $5 million in highway funding in the last phase of ATRIP, the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program.

State officials announced Wednesday morning that 45 counties shared the final $372 million in funding for cities and counties in the last phase of the program, which is the largest road and bridge project in state history. ATRIP is funded by GARVEE bonds, which state officials said allow Alabama to access future federal funds for needed road and bridge projects.

“ATRIP is making a difference in every county across the state by allowing much-needed road and bridge improvement projects to move forward,” Gov. Robert Bentley said in a release.  “As we make these improvements, we’re improving public safety, and we’re also helping attract more jobs.  When companies look for places to build and expand and hire more people, they look for places that have good roads and bridges.  Our roads and bridges will be much safer thanks to this program, and our communities will be in a better position to recruit more jobs.”

The funds announced Wednesday bring Escambia County’s total ATRIP award to $11.9 million.