Birmingham trails — Left to Right — Charlotte Shaw, CEO and Executive Director of Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, Rusha Smith, Executive Director Freshwater Land Trust, Rep. Terri Sewell, Mayor Randall Woodfin (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

The city of Birmingham formally accepted a $21,681,306 check today from U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell on behalf of the federal government to construct a Birmingham urban trail and multimodal corridor.

Rep. Sewell played a pivotal role in securing the grant.

Detail about the RAISE Grant

Funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program, the grant will support the “Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads: Reconnecting Historic Neighborhoods Through Active Mobility” project.

The new 2.5-mile urban trail and multi-modal corridor will accomplish the following:

Honor and revitalize the Smithfield neighborhood, the west side of Birmingham and the Civil Rights District
Include a two-way cycle track, improve ADA access, sidewalks and other universal design elements

“Ultimately, this will be an opportunity for us to be forward-thinking in creating truly a multimodal corridor that allows for our citizens to be able to walk, cycle, run and travel all throughout our city. This is a 21st-century vision.”
Rep. Terri Sewell

Partnerships key to securing grant

Left to Right — Charlotte Shaw, CEO and Executive Director of Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, Rusha Smith, Executive Director Freshwater Land Trust, Rep. Terri Sewell, Mayor Randall Woodfin (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Mayor Randall Woodfin echoed Rep. Sewell’s sentiment. He praised her staff, his own administration, the city council and the many partnerships that helped secure the grant.

He specifically singled out Rep. Sewell for her leadership.