The city of Birmingham is requesting the public's input on possible improvements to Richard Arrington Boulevard that will make walking and cycling to Vulcan Park safer and easier.

The improvements, which could include a multi-use pathway, would be made on Richard Arrington Boulevard between 16th Avenue South and Valley Avenue.

"I requested this project because there is currently no safe way for either pedestrians or cyclists to get over Red Mountain," Birmingham City Council President Valerie Abbott said. "Five Points South and the surrounding neighborhoods have a lot of walkers, runners and cyclists, so it is only natural that the current right-of-way would need to be modified in order to be shared between" motorized vehicles and pedestrians.

"Our project will meet up with Homewood's (walkway) project so that a large number of people can get around more safely using alternatives besides cars and trucks," she said.

A public meeting on the two alternatives for redesigning Richard Arrington Boulevard is set for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18 at Vulcan Park's Electra Event Room.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $2 million to $2.5 million. At least a portion of the roadway improvements will be paid for by District 3 bond funds, Abbott said.

Michael Kaczorowski, principal planner for transportation at the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, said the RPC teamed up with the city to do feasibility studies on the project.

The most popular alternative for redesigning the roadway involves adding a 14-foot wide paved multi-use pathway, he said. The pathway would be separated from the roadway by landscaping.

The pathway would be located on the same side of the street as Vulcan Park.

A center turn lane would also be added. The traveling lanes would be reduced to two, but they would be widened to 12 feet, Kaczorowski said.

The second alternative is adding 5 feet to 6 feet wide sidewalks and a bike lane, he said.

At the intersection with Valley Avenue, Kaczorowski said there is room in both roadway improvement alternatives to widen Richard Arrington Boulevard back to four lanes.

After receiving feedback during Thursday's meeting, a traffic study will be conducted, Kaczorowski said.

Five Points South Neighborhood Association Vice President Stephen Foster said there is a "dire need" to make walking to Vulcan Park easier and more pedestrian friendly. He said Thursday's planning meeting will address concerns the neighborhood association regularly gets from residents on the safety related to accessing Vulcan Park and traversing Red Mountain via 20th Street.

"How this redesign plays into future growth, the streetscape for our neighborhood, and the city's master plan will be a true testament to how we shape the future to 5 Points and many residents are looking forward to the ideas," Foster said.