Adam RollinsThe city of Montgomery in Alabama will use $36.7 million to help reconnect residents on the Selma-to-Montgomery Trail. Plans include increasing safety and access to public safety amenities, enhancing broadband connectivity, providing zero-emission transportation and other transportation improvements.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently provided the funds through the Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) grant program to kickstart the Reconciliation, Regeneration and Reconnecting the Selma-to-Montgomery Trail project. Construction is expected to begin fall 2024.
The NAE program is designed to improve walkability, safety and affordable transportation access in disenfranchised communities. The Selma-to-Montgomery Trail project is one of 132 projects that will receive a portion of the $3.3 billion USDOT awarded for Fiscal Year 2023.
The city will reconnect the Selma-to-Montgomery Trail community through a series of initiatives, including redeveloping a local brownfield site into an EV charging station and microgrid. Other plans include establishing an EV workforce micro-transit site to provide routes to the city’s downtown, hospitals, Inland Port and other high-demand employers. The micro-transit site will be low-emission and ADA compliant to improve accessibility.
The project’s scope calls for laying down a fiber optic infrastructure and integrating intelligent technologies into the city’s infrastructure. These include smart lighting, CC cameras and Wi-Fi hotspots at select locations. Plans include adding historic markers and wayfinding kiosks to enhance navigation.
The city will also implement bike lanes as it repaves and stripe streets. The bike lanes will provide better access between Downtown Montgomery and West Montgomery. Plans include upgrading bus stops, covered shelters and building more than 2 miles of sidewalks.
Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
