Construction is underway for Birmingham Xpress, the City of Birmingham’s bus rapid transit system. Birmingham Xpress will connect 25 neighborhoods to opportunities and vital services along a 10-mile corridor between Five Points West and Woodlawn. The current construction focuses on the west transit center in Five Points West near Birmingham CrossPlex. This is the first bus rapid transit system in Alabama.
Birmingham Xpress is a City of Birmingham project in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority. The system uses bus rapid transit technology and design to improve travel time, lower costs and enhance service appeal.Think light-rail transit on rubber tires – BRT can travel as fast as light rail, but at approximately one-third of the construction costs.
Construction is expected to begin in late spring on the east transit center in Woodlawn.
“Simply put, Birmingham Xpress will be a connector for eastern and western neighborhoods to jobs, services and opportunities,” Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said. “Providing reliable, efficient and alternative transportation options for our residents and visitors has been a priority. Birmingham Xpress will enhance public transportation for our residents and neighborhoods.”
Groundbreaking Ceremony, Friday, December 18th, 2020.
The project is funded by federal transit grants and the city of Birmingham. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, helped secure the federal transit grant for the project.
“It's so exciting to see the $20 million in federal funding we fought so hard to secure in 2015 pay off in a way that will directly impact Birmingham residents’ everyday lives! The Birmingham Xpress West Transit Center will improve travel time and decrease costs, connecting more Birmingham residents to their places of work and communities, and increasing livability and opportunity. This critical project will bring us one step closer to ensuring our public transportation systems are both equitable and sustainable,” said U.S. Rep. Sewell.
The city and BJCTA have partnered to host informational meetings about Birmingham Xpress, including a recent meeting with neighborhood association leaders and an information session with contractors and businessesseeking to learn more about opportunities connected to construction of the system.
“Birmingham Xpress is a game changer for public transportation in the Birmingham-Jefferson County region”, said Frank T. Martin, BJCTA Executive Director and CEO. “It is the first phase of what we believe will be expanded to other communities in the future. We are excited to operate Birmingham Xpress and make it an integral part of the services we provide.”
Construction of the system will be completed in the first half of 2022.
For more information about Birmingham Xpress and the bus rapid transit system, go to https://www.birminghamal.gov/brt.