Coming this summer: Major upgrades to Hollywood 280 overpass + Trussville Deerfoot Pkwy

Jefferson County officially announced its plans to undertake multiple construction projects that aim to drastically improve quality of life and safety for residents of Homewood, Mountain Brook, Birmingham and Trussville at a press conference Monday, Feb. 23.

Learn more about the impact and importance of this project in Bham Now’s story published last week.

Here is everything you need to know about these upcoming projects, including how they might affect your daily commute.

The 14-year wait for a walkable Hollywood Bridge in Homewood is over

The improvements to the Hollywood Boulevard overpass are a direct response to long-standing serious safety concerns. For more than 60 years, the bridge has been a narrow, two-lane link between Homewood and Mountain Brook with zero dedicated space for those on foot or bike.

“It is a miracle that no one has been hurt yet.”

Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress

For 14 years, locals have heard rumors of the Hollywood Bridge over Highway 280 being expanded to include a pedestrian walkway. This started back in 2012, when former State Representative Paul DeMarco first coordinated formal discussions between Birmingham, Mountain Brook and Homewood.

Now, plans are finally coming to fruition.

Construction crews will start working on the first phase of the project this summer, which will focus on constructing new sidewalk approaches from Malaga Avenue.

The $5.5 million project will involve retrofitting the existing bridge to include a third vehicle turn lane and a protected pedestrian path. A concrete barrier wall will separate walkers and cyclists from traffic to ensure pedestrian safety.

The bridge currently handles 20,000 cars per day, according to Jefferson County Director of Roads and Transportation Chris Nicholson, making the additional turn lane critical for easing backups onto the U.S. 280 on-ramp.

Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress recalled instances where she has seen people walking on or crossing the bridge while she’s driving, and it makes her anxious each time.

“The Birmingham Track Club… they run through Mountain Brook, through Birmingham, and they’re running over that bridge. We have to make it safer for them, and now we are.”

Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress

Funding has come from a variety of sources, including federal grants and a $12,000 donation from the Hollywood Garden Club. Federal appropriation funds secured by U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt amounting to $4 million will fund a large portion of the project.

The project will move in two phases:

• Phase 1 (Sidewalks) — Construction of new sidewalk approaches from Malaga Avenue will begin this Summer 2026
• Phase 2 (The Bridge) — Engineering and permitting for the bridge widening will continue through the year, with bidding expected to open in Spring 2027

Trussville’s Deerfoot Parkway to expand to 5 lanes

Unlike the Hollywood bridge project, which is focused on pedestrian safety, the roadwork in Trussville on Deerfoot Parkway is about capacity.

Currently, Deerfoot Parkway provides congested, 2-lane access to Interstate 59.

“The Trussville component is laying the foundation on Deerfoot Parkway for what will be a significant traffic relief valve along Highway 11, one of our major arteries.”

Trussville Mayor Ben Short

The project will transform the road into a five-lane thoroughfare between Highway 11 and I-59, including the addition of travel lanes to accommodate Trussville’s massive residential and commercial growth.

Estimated to cost between $4.5 and $5 million, this expansion is also heavily funded by the federal appropriation dollars secured by Sen. Britt and Rep. Aderholt. The Jefferson County Commission is covering the remaining balance.

“Many of you are probably wondering why is Trussville standing here with Mountain Brook, Homewood, and the City of Birmingham, but the reality is it just shows the importance of regional cooperation.”

Trussville Mayor Ben Short

The Deerfoot expansion project is expected to take about one year to plan and is expected to go out to bid in Spring 2027.

The roadmap to completion

As with any government construction undertaking — especially one that impacts so many commuters on a daily basis — these projects are expected to take at least a few years to complete. Here is the timeline:

• Early March 2026 — Bids go out for Phase 1 of the Hollywood Boulevard project (the sidewalk leading to the bridge)
• Early Summer 2026 — Construction begins on the new sidewalks on Hollywood Boulevard, extending from Malaga Avenue into Mountain Brook
• Mid-Summer 2026 — Estimated completion of the Phase 1 sidewalk installation (approximately a one-month construction window)
• Balance of 2026 — Environmental processing, permitting through ALDOT, and federal agreement finalization for the major bridge and parkway components
• Spring 2027 — The Hollywood Boulevard Bridge widening project (Phase 2) officially goes out to bid
• Spring 2027 — The Deerfoot Parkway widening project in Trussville goes out to bid
• 2027 – 2028 — Construction phase for the bridge and parkway (estimated 1-year duration for each)

The power of cross-city partnership

While the projects solve immediate safety and traffic concerns, Commissioner Joe Knight reminded the crowd that the stakes are higher than just asphalt and concrete.

“We got competition in Huntsville. We got competition in Mobile. We need to galvanize Jefferson County, Birmingham, and all the municipalities to continue to work together. Projects like this will be great, and there will be more coming. The more we work together, the better it’ll be.”

Jefferson County Commission President Pro Tem Joe Knight

As construction kicks off this summer with the Hollywood sidewalks, Jefferson County is finally working toward crossing a finish line 14 years in the making. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the orange cones — stay tuned to Bham Now for updates as these projects go to bid in 2027.

What do you think about these new upgrades? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!