Help make the new pedestrian Hollywood bridge over Highway 280 a reality on Saturday, September 29

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

Homewood Alabama
Picture of the Hwy 280 overpass bridge between Mountain Brook and Homewood. Note how the car passing the cyclist having to move across the center line to safely pass – photo by Pat Byington

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.

We look forward to seeing you at Over Easy, bright and early!

 

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

Articles: 2441