West Hoover Parkway

West Hoover Parkway is a proposed 4-mile-long, two-lane road through western portions of Hoover. The route would extend south from the terminus of Ross Bridge Parkway at Alabama State Highway 150, with a potential interchange at I-459. It would then continue along the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad tracks through Brock's Gap, crossing South Shades Crest Road, through the Blackridge subdivision to Shelby County Highway 52 south of Elvira.

The road proposal, which was first referenced in the "Future Hoover" comprehensive plan adopted in July 2019, is an alternative to the formerly-anticipated widening of Stadium Trace Parkway, which would have increased congestion at Trace Crossings. A more detailed plan, publicized in October 2020, was prepared by city planner Mac Martin. The initial development within the 80 foot-wide right-of-way would include a two-lane road with a 12-foot multi-purpose path paralleling it. The bicycle and pedestrian path would allow the city to make connections with several existing and planned recreation areas, including the Black Creek Mountain Bike Park, a Cahaba River park and greenway in the Trace Crossings subdivision, the Hoover Met, and a Freshwater Land Trust preserve off Ross Bridge Parkway.

The City of Hoover began a feasibility study to determine the best way to finance the development of the parkway. Once the study is completed, the city would likely begin negotiations with the Alabama Department of Transportation, Jefferson and Shelby County, and the Federal Highway Administration to pursue additional funding and approval of an interchange with I-459.

References

• Anderson, Jon (October 14, 2020) "City unveils detailed proposal for new western Hoover connector road" Hoover Sun