280 overpass between Homewood and Mountain Brook near Hollywood. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

In a massive win for pedestrians, a coalition involving leaders in Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood and Jefferson County has secured funding to improve pedestrian access on the Hollywood Boulevard overpass above U.S. 280. Located between Homewood and Mountain Brook, the existing bridge has long been a sore spot for pedestrians in the two “Over the Mountain” suburbs.

The case for improved pedestrian access between Homewood and Mountain Brook

For decades, residents in Mountain Brook and Homewood have asked for improved pedestrian access on the Hollywood Boulevard overpass above U.S. 280. Built in 1960 with two lanes of traffic, the overpass offers zero pedestrian access, making it a hazard for the countless walkers, runners and cyclists that use it to travel between the two suburbs.

“The Hollywood Boulevard overpass is a heavily-used bridge that gets extremely congested during high-traffic parts of the day; yet, people cross that bridge on foot all of the time. It’s a miracle that no one has been hurt yet!”
Jennifer Andress, Mayor of the City of Homewood

According to Mayor Andress, Alabama State Senator Rodger Smitherman once said of the project, “When you see it [the bridge], you understand the need.” When I stopped by to photograph the bridge, I understood it, too. Even during a light-traffic hour of the day, the eastbound lane easily backed up as drivers waited to turn left onto the U.S. 280 on-ramp. I wouldn’t have wanted to attempt to cross on foot; I’d have been sandwiched between the guardrails and moving vehicles on the narrow, two-lane bridge.

So, what’s the solution? In 2012, then-State Representative Paul DeMarco coordinated discussions between the cities of Birmingham, Mountain Brook and Homewood to pursue development of a pedestrian-only bridge near the existing overpass. Although that project eventually fizzled out—the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) preferred to replace the entire overpass, doubling the cost of the project—the coalition behind the proposal found another way to address the issue.

The U.S. 280 overpass on Hollywood Boulevard is getting a pedestrian-friendly facelift

Championed by the Highway 280 Neighborhood Improvement District Cooperative (which includes the Cities of Mountain Brook, Homewood and Birmingham and Jefferson County), the project will retrofit the existing overpass to include:

Protected pedestrian access on the north side of the bridge
An additional turn lane, additional striping and a new traffic light for improved traffic control

According to Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress, the Cooperative recently secured $4 million in federal funding from Senator Katie Britt’s appropriations, thanks to a joint effort aided by the City of Trussville, Jefferson County Commissioners and Congressman Robert Aderholt. The funding will be used to expand access to I-59 from Deerfoot Parkway in Trussville and to improve pedestrian access on the Hollywood Boulevard overpass.

“This project, and what it represents on a larger scale, involves many years of negotiation and countless relationships formed. It symbolizes the very best in regional cooperation and speaks well for the future of our county. I hope to see many more projects like this.

While the ‘literal’ bridge will benefit our residents—improving safety, walkability, traffic flow and access—the figurative benefits to our entire region will be felt for years to come.”
Graham Smith, Mayor of the City of Mountain Brook

According to Mayor Andress, the first phase of the project will begin with adding sidewalks leading up to the bridge, using funds previously raised by the Highway 280 Neighborhood Improvement District Cooperative. Bids for the first phase of the project should go out in early March.

Once the sidewalks are in place, the Cooperative will seek federal approval for the changes to the Hollywood Boulevard overpass; Andress aims to get that part of the project out to bid by Spring 2027.

“We’ve still got lots of work to do, but it feels extraordinary to pass this milestone. There are a slew of people that have helped us get this far—from former state representatives and senators to mayors, commissioners, city councilors and more. It has truly been a Herculean effort!”
Jennifer Andress, Mayor of the City of Homewood

Have you used the Hollywood Boulevard overpass as a pedestrian? Excited to see the improvements? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!