Called a game-changer for West Huntsville, the city is another step closer to linking downtown with UAH and Cummings Research Park and some of Huntsville’s more established neighborhoods.

Huntsville took that step when the City Council approved an engineering design and construction administration services contract with Volkert for the “urban park.”

“This will be a game-changer … a major addition for West Huntsville,” said City Council member Bill Kling whose district includes the corridor. “While people are moving out of the central portions of Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile, this, along with other city projects, will continue to attract people to West Huntsville neighborhoods.

“Nearby McThormoor Acres, as well as Merrimack and Lowe Mill are all listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.”

The city was awarded a $21.6 million federal grant in 2024 and will provide $9 million in matching funds.

“A big part of this is the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program,” Urban and Long-Range Planning Manager Dennis Madsen said, referring to the U.S. Department of Transportation program from which the grant originated. “The SS4A grant funding really makes a difference. The alternate mode transportation plan will definitely be an improvement for pedestrians and the bike environment.”

Madsen also said the section of Holmes covered by the project connects three growing parts of Huntsville: the downtown area, UAH and CRP.

“These improvements will allow for better connection,” Madsen said. “Students at UAH will be able to more easily come downtown and there will be greater access to Cummings Research Park.

“It’s how we get ahead of the growth.”

Kling said the Urban Park stretches for 3¼ miles from Spragins Street downtown through UAH to Sparkman Drive/Cummings Research Park.

“It will include a bicycle lane, an area for jogging, a renovated sidewalk, a resurfaced street, park benches, and lighting, so that a student at UAH can walk or jog toward downtown, stop at a park bench, read, and even take a Shuttle Bus east or west,” he said. “There will be extensive landscaping and trees planted along the way.”

Additionally, the corridor is home to high-traffic entities such as Clearview Cancer Institute, the Huntsville VA Clinic and The Rock Family Worship in addition to established neighborhoods.

Planned improvements include designated bike lanes or multiuse paths, crosswalks, continuous ADA-compliant sidewalks and roadway safety striping.

The project will also enhance traffic signals at intersections and railroad crossings, upgrade pedestrian safety lighting and introduce accessible bus stops with shelters.

Altogether, the improvements will make the corridor safer for all modes of transportation while attracting more residents to use Holmes Avenue.

“This project will make our UAH corridor safer for everyone, no matter how they travel,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “This significant investment underscores Huntsville’s commitment to enhancing urban mobility and safety, setting a precedent for future infrastructure projects in the region.”

The project is part of Huntsville’s Big Picture comprehensive Master Plan adopted in 2018.

“Design a multi-modal city that is safe and easy to navigate,” the introduction to “Design a Mobile and Sustainable Transportation Network” section of the plan reads. “Design roadways, public transit, bike lanes, and greenways so that they work together to create a transportation network that serves people of all ages and abilities.

“You are not stuck in traffic. You ARE traffic.”

Pedestrians – Connect existing sidewalk networks and create new ones. Link neighborhoods to schools, parks, shopping, and other neighborhoods.
Bicycles – Develop a system of complete streets that serve bikes as well as other modes. Adopt best practices for bicycle facilities and coordinate their implementation with new road and resurfacing projects.
Traffic – Maintain a street network that moves traffic safely and efficiently throughout the metro area, with particular attention to commutes.
Transit – Plan for expanded transit, and study the most efficient and cost-effective options for serving the expanding need. Know that though it might not be implemented for a decade or more. The time to plan for increased transit options is now.

“The Holmes Avenue Corridor project is a critical piece to enhancing connectivity between downtown and Cummings Research Park,” said Erin Koshut, executive director of Cummings Research Park. “We appreciate the city’s continued foresight to make this project a reality. The partnership with the city and the companies and organizations in the Park ensures that this project — in both phase 1 and the future phase 2 — aligns with business needs and talent desires.

“We look forward to seeing the connected future of Holmes Avenue and Bradford Drive!”

Volkert will finalize engineering design plans leading up to the start of construction near the end of 2027. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2030.