Huntsville City Council Approves $20 Million Contract for Pinhook Creek PARC Project
The Huntsville City Council has approved a $20 million contract to advance the first phase of the Pinhook Creek Pedestrian Access and Redevelopment Corridor (PARC) project, marking a significant step forward for one of the city’s most transformative infrastructure initiatives.
The contract was awarded to Lambert Contracting, LLC, the project’s low bidder. According to Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Urban and Economic Development Director, this approval clears the way for construction to begin on a project that originated years ago in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The first phase of construction will focus on critical channel improvements along Pinhook Creek, including 3,200 linear feet of channel widening from Holmes Avenue to U.S. 231. The work will also involve approximately 100,000 cubic yards of excavation and the installation of 90,000 square feet of mechanically stabilized earth wall.
The broader PARC initiative, also known as the “Skybridge Project,” continues to progress as planned. In a related move, the City Council recently approved a $500,000 contract with HDR Engineering to conduct an independent engineering audit of the pedestrian bridge design. Additionally, Rosales + Partners, a nationally recognized firm specializing in signature bridge design, has released updated renderings of the proposed Skybridge.
The City has also formally accepted a $20 million federal grant to support the project. Huntsville was awarded the highly competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant in 2022 through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding supports the City’s efforts to reduce flooding, improve safety, and expand pedestrian and cyclist connectivity while enhancing public spaces and driving economic development.
Once completed, the PARC project will deliver a range of community-focused improvements, including:
- 1.2 miles of linear park space
- 5,600 feet of Pinhook Creek channel excavation
- 3,200 feet of low-flow channel improvements
- 6,000 linear feet of greenway
- Three precast pedestrian bridges over Pinhook Creek
- A new concrete railroad bridge replacing the existing wooden structure near Heart of Huntsville Drive
- A 1,400-foot pedestrian cable suspension bridge, known as the Skybridge
The project is designed to create a safe, accessible connection across two major U.S. highways, linking residents, workers, and visitors to key job centers and community resources without reliance on a vehicle. It also addresses long-standing safety concerns, as the corridor has experienced 46 pedestrian fatalities since 1988, accounting for 37% of the city’s total.
Construction on the channel improvements is expected to begin in late 2025, with the full project targeted for completion by late 2028.
Katelyn Henderson has called Huntsville home for over 14 years and is the proud owner of We Are Huntsville. She’s passionate about spotlighting local businesses, uncovering hidden gems, and keeping locals in the know about everything happening around town. Whether it’s a new restaurant, a can’t-miss event, or a Huntsville secret worth sharing – Katelyn’s on it. Have something cool happening? Send her a note at katelyn@wearehuntsville.com!
