Woodfin.
The city of Birmingham held a groundbreaking in Five Points West on Dec. 18 to mark the beginning of construction for the Birmingham Xpress bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
It will be the first BRT in Alabama, and construction will be completed in early 2022, according to a city news release.
Construction is beginning with the West Transit Center adjacent to Birmingham CrossPlex.
Birmingham Xpress will connect 25 neighborhoods along a 10-mile corridor between Five Points West and Woodlawn.
The system uses BRT technology to improve travel time, lower costs and enhance service.
“Simply put, Birmingham Xpress will be a connector for eastern and western neighborhoods to jobs, services and opportunities,” Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said in the release.
“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,” U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell said.
Frank T. Martin, BJCTA CEO and executive director, called the BRT a “game changer” for transit in the area.
“It’s the first phase of what we believe will be expanded to other communities in the future,” Martin said.
For more information, go to birminghamal.gov/brt.
