Homewood Alabama — Ward 5 Homewood City Council member Jennifer Andress – Photo by Pat Byington

In July 2017, Bham Now published a story about an effort to build a new safer, more pedestrian, runner and bike friendly overpass bridge on Hollywood Boulevard/280 that links Homewood, Birmingham and Mountain Brook. Led by Homewood City Councilwoman Jennifer Andress and community leaders, the plan is inching ever so closer to reality.

This Saturday, September 29, citizens from both sides of the bridge, are gathering together to raise monies and awareness to push the new pedestrian bridge across the finish line.

Located between one of the quirkiest off and on ramps on Hwy 280, the busy Hollywood Boulevard overpass bridge is sandwiched between neighborhoods, a cemetery, restaurants (Mexico Lindo & Over Easy), a bank, an Express Oil station and three municipalities, Homewood, Birmingham and Mountain Brook.

Working together

According to Andress a little over a million dollars has been raised to build and maintain the bridge. Every governmental entity that “touches” the bridge has chipped in, municipalities, the County and the State. This weekend’s fundraising effort will provide additional private funding from the community.

Close but still more work to be done

“It’s like the last couple of miles in a marathon to use an apt metaphor. We are so close, ” said Andress. “Everyone recognizes this project is sorely needed.”

Andress then began listing all the groups and communities that use the bridge, from running groups to cyclists. She summed up the reason for the new bridge best, when she said,

“It’s a Mecca , and we welcome it, and now we are going to make it safer for everyone.”

Birmingham Track Club Saturday Run Social – Hollywood Bridge Fundraiser

On Saturday, join the Birmingham Track Club and The Trak Shak at Over Easy next to the Hollywood Bridge for a “run social” and fundraiser, brought to you by Mountain High Outfitters.

Here is the location of the starting point.

There will be adult beverages from Cahaba Brewing Company, door prizes from sponsors Mountain High Outfitters, Hydralive Therapy, and Resolute Running Training Center.

Join your fellow runners and the community for a good run and fellowship. Learn about the new bridge project and help raise some monies that will go toward the new pedestrian bridge.

Here are all the details.