NEW: Funding secured for new Saturn 1B at Welcome Center

Lawmakers have announced that they have gathered the necessary funding to replace the iconic Saturn 1B Rocket replica removed from the Ardmore Welcome Center last year.

Read more to learn how much was secured and the plans for the replacement:

The new Saturn 1B

Last year it was determined that the iconic Saturn 1B replica that had sat at the Ardmore Welcome Center for over 40 years was in a state of disrepair and subsequently removed.

At the time, lawmakers secured $2 million in funding for a replacement, which would only cover about a quarter of the estimated replacement cost.

Earlier this week it was announced that another $5 million in funding, bringing the total to 7, has been secured.

With enough funds secured, development can begin on a replacement. It is still in the early stages, but we can expect to see a big go-out for contractors at some point soon.

The rest stop rocket’s history.

The Saturn 1B rocket that originally stood over the rest stop was donated by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in 1977.

The rocket remained a beacon overlooking I-65 for over 40 years until it had to be removed last year.

“It was just more than a rocket to Alabamians, it changed the outlook and the overall look of Alabama, whatever your notion is of Alabama as you crossed that line you saw what we did and we want to make sure that we put that iconic structure back up.”

Alabama Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)

With plans to construct a new one, measures can be taken to ensure it will withstand the test of time, something that was never intended for the original, and continue to be a landmark for Alabama that symbolizes progress and ingenuity for years to come.

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