Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Streetcars Riding Their Way Back to Bham

By Alabama Public Radio

Birmingham, AL – The Jefferson County Commission is planning to spend $25 million to revive a streetcar system in Birmingham. A majority of commissioners decided last week to move ahead with the project and seek federal funding later. Consultants on the project say the county can get four miles of streetcars ready to run by the end of 2007 for $30 million. Meanwhile, a proposal to establish a county-appointed railroad authority to operate the streetcars may be derailed because three commissioners say they don't support it. The commission is set to vote Tuesday on both the railroad authority and on spending the $25 million over five years for the streetcar system. Commissioners want to resurrect the 1880s-era streetcar system that operated throughout downtown Birmingham and out to the suburbs. The county hopes to get $4 in federal money for every dollar it invests.

News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.