The City of Birmingham broke ground today on the western terminal of its new bus rapid transit service, Birmingham Xpress. The new service is designed to connect the city’s eastern and western neighborhoods with opportunities and services in other parts of the city.
Today’s groundbreaking was the kick-off for the west transit center in Five Points West near the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Slated to open in 2022, the new bus service — the first bus rapid transit in the state — will connect 25 neighborhoods along a 10-mile corridor from Five Points West to Woodlawn.
The project is a partnership among the city, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, and is funded by federal transit grants and the city.
“Simply put, Birmingham Xpress will be a connector for eastern and western neighborhoods to jobs, services and opportunities,” said Birmingham Mayor Randal Woodfin. “Providing reliable, efficient and alternative transportation options for our residents and visitors has been a priority.”
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who helped secure the federal funding, said, “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.”
The local transit authority also praised the progress on the system.
“It is the first phase of what we believe will be expanded to other communities in the future,” said Frank Martin, executive director and CEO of BJCTA. “We are excited to operate Birmingham Xpress and make it an integral part of the services we provide.”
