The City of Birmingham is inviting public input on the Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads project, a planned 3.16-mile urban trail network that reconnects the historic Graymont and Smithfield neighborhoods with downtown Birmingham and the Civil Rights District.

Construction is set to begin in 2026, with completion in 2027. The project will convert car-centric streets into dedicated spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, while honoring the pivotal role these areas played in the Civil Rights Movement.

The city will host its Community Studio Week from June 10–14. Residents, business owners, students, and stakeholders from across the Civil Rights District, Smithfield, Graymont, and surrounding areas are invited to share ideas and feedback that will shape the project’s direction.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads Project, which is funded in part by a $21 million U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE Grant, will create multimodal improvements—new trails, sidewalks, mobility hubs, and culturally inspired public space enhancements. The project aims to transform key streets in the city’s historic neighborhoods into spaces that better connect communities while honoring the city’s well-documented civil rights legacy.

The corridor is focused on 4th and 5th Avenues North, 16th Street North, 6th Street West, and Graymont Avenue. A first for Birmingham, this trail will connect the Red Rock Trail System, the Smithfield Community, and the Civil Rights National Monument Site to the downtown core.

Building on the momentum of adding over 40 miles of bike lanes in the past six years, this initiative will introduce new sidewalks and trails to enhance transit, walkability and cycling, officials said.

“This project marks another significant step in BDOT’s ongoing transformation of our city’s transportation system into a multimodal network that prioritizes people,” said Christina Argo, deputy director for the Birmingham Department of Transportation. “This visionary project champions the city’s goals of walkable, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods while deeply honoring our civil rights heritage.”

The Community Studio Week will take place at Legion Field, located at 400 Graymont Ave. West. The schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, June 10 – 6–7:30 p.m. Public Kick-Off Meeting Formal presentation, project overview, and interactive engagement
• Wednesday, June 11 – 1–6 p.m. Open Design Studio Drop-in hours for one-on-one engagement and feedback
• Thursday, June 12 – 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Open Design Studio Continued drop-in sessions and individual engagement
• Saturday, June 14 – 8:30–10:30 a.m. Open Design Studio & Report Back Team shares what’s been heard so far—concept sketches, survey input, and data summaries

“This project isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about honoring legacy, creating opportunity, and investing in communities,” said Bolaji Kukoyi, president of Dynamic Civil Solutions, the project’s lead consultant. “Community Studio Week is the public’s opportunity to directly shape what this transformation looks like.”

Residents are encouraged to take the project survey now to help guide design and programming before the studio week begins. For more information, ongoing updates and to take the survey, visit www.bhmcrossroads.com