HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The City of Huntsville has been awarded an $850,000 grant from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) to conduct a land-use study along a potential bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor, as part of a pilot program.
Focusing on three main spots along University Drive — Northwoods, UAH, and Mid-City — the study will look into new possibilities for building homes and businesses aimed at workers, students, and families. Huntsville officials will team up with community members in these areas to come up with ideas for where to put BRT stations and how to make it easier for people to get to them. This will help the city see what Transit-Oriented Development could look like along the corridor and how it might connect with nearby places.
Collaborating with stakeholders, the city will develop concepts for BRT station areas and first/last mile connections to see TOD possibilities along the corridor and how it can connect to neighboring regions.
According to the City of Huntsville, affordability is a primary concern addressed in this year's grant allocation, with the TOD study set to review policies supporting diverse housing options. Starting this summer, the study is expected to end by mid-2025 with a comprehensive report.
"This grant highlights our commitment to innovative housing and transportation solutions," said Mayor Tommy Battle. "If implemented, bus rapid transit has the potential to transform our transportation landscape, providing residents with enhanced mobility options while promoting economic vitality and environmental sustainability."
Quisha Bryant, Huntsville’s Director of Parking and Public Transportation, said BRT could revolutionize public transportation in Huntsville. Many major North American cities have BRT systems, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Cleveland and Jacksonville, Florida.
“A city of our size needs to provide transportation options for its residents, and as we grow, transit needs to grow with us,” Bryant said. “This is the first step in building upon our existing transit network and creating a regional system.”
The FTA grant places Huntsville among 20 communities in 16 states selected for the TOD planning grant pilot program. This initiative, awarded annually, seeks to integrate land use and transportation planning with high-capacity transit projects, with the project being fully federally funded.
Bus rapid transit (BRT) is an advanced bus-based transit system characterized by dedicated rights-of-way, unique branding, and distinctive stations. The City of Huntsville says it offers reliability, convenience, and speed, overcoming common delays experienced by traditional bus services.
Spanning 9 miles from Providence Main Street to downtown Huntsville, the proposed BRT line aims to improve accessibility to key employment and activity centers while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
