Birmingham City Council Approves Purchase for Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail Project
In a significant step for the Birmingham community, the City Council approved an agreement on October 1 allowing the city to purchase part of an inactive railroad corridor in western Jefferson County. The Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project is a crucial element of the broader Red Rock Action Plan, which aims to establish a walking trail loop surrounding Birmingham.
The inactive railroad corridor spans about three miles and will be acquired from CSX Transportation, a freight railroad company based in Jacksonville, Florida. The total cost of this corridor is $1.1 million, with the City Council contributing $270,000 from discretionary American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This funding makes the dream of a connected trail system closer to reality.
Residents are enthusiastic about the prospects of the Valley Creek Trail Extension, which plans to stretch from Midfield into Five Points West. One area resident expressed joy, stating, “My neighbors and I are excitedly awaiting the Valley Creek Trail Extension from Midfield into Five Points West. Today’s city council action made it much more real.” Such excitement reflects a community eager for more recreational spaces.
In collaboration with the City of Birmingham, the Freshwater Land Trust, a non-profit organization in Alabama, will offer consulting services to assist with the development of this project. Their expertise is particularly important as the project moves forward. The Freshwater Land Trust introduced the Red Rock Action Plan in 2023, which envisions a 36-mile interconnected trail system around the city, enhancing outdoor activities and overall community well-being.
This plan outlines the addition of 19 miles of new trail across seven priority projects. Once completed, the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project will create a 4.5-mile walking trail that connects Red Mountain Park to the Birmingham CrossPlex via the existing High Ore Line Greenway. This connection will ultimately result in 7.5 miles of interlinked, non-motorized trails that will benefit over 58,500 residents in Birmingham, as well as those from neighboring cities like Midfield, Fairfield, Brighton, and Lipscomb.
In late 2023, the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail program received a notable boost of $4 million in federal funding, which was secured by Representative Terri Sewell. This substantial funding is pivotal to the completion and success of the project as it ensures that various aspects of development can proceed without delay.
The community is invited to share their excitement and thoughts about the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail program. Residents are encouraged to tag @bhamnow on social media to engage in conversations and promote awareness of this much-anticipated addition to Birmingham’s outdoor offerings.
The approval of this trail corridor signifies a major leap forward in Birmingham’s efforts to enhance its recreational infrastructure. As the project takes shape, the connections created through these trails will likely foster greater cohesion in the community, encouraging healthy lifestyles and outdoor activities for families and individuals of all ages.
