Could rapid transit solve Highway 280 traffic woes? Mayor of Hoover says yes.

When I first moved to Birmingham from Georgia, the hit “Move” by Ludacris was big. The lyrics are about Atlanta traffic on Interstate 20, but I soon learned the tune is perfectly appropriate for Highway 280 in the Greater Birmingham area. Hoover mayor Frank Brocato wants to change that, and he thinks a rapid transit system is the answer.

Have you found yourself singing “Move…get out da way!” while stuck in Highway 280 traffic? (This writer has.)

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What would a rapid transit system on Highway 280 look like?

Bringing rapid transit to Highway 280 is not a new idea. Five years ago, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham partnered with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to imagine a bus-rapid transit system that would be all the envy of drivers stuck in rush hour on Highway 280.

With Mayor Brocato of Hoover on board, the vision for a rapid transit system on Highway 280 takes another step forward

“Mass transit solutions are critical to alleviating congestion on Highway 280, and extensive regional cooperation will be required to bring this into reality.

“The success of the B’ham-Hoover Metropolitan area rests squarely on the issue of regional cooperation. The City of Hoover is eager to be a part of that initiative.”—Frank Brocato, mayor of Hoover

5 potential benefits of a rapid transit system on Highway 280

1. You can finish up that big project on your laptop or tablet on the way to work.
2. You can relax and enjoy your coffee instead of slurping it down while maneuvering traffic.
3. You can watch TV.
4. You can wave to everyone stuck in traffic as you fly by.
5. If you’re one of those people who will NEVER give up your car for rapid transit, that’s okay. A rapid transit system can benefit you, too, by reducing traffic.

What say you, Bham Now readers? Are you on board with rapid transit on Highway 280?