Birmingham Coordinates Weekend Bus Detours for Crane Work

Birmingham's Snow Hill Queensway closes April 4-5 for crane work, diverting 11 bus routes

Birmingham Closes Snow Hill Queensway April 4-5

Birmingham's Snow Hill Queensway will close for 36 hours starting April 4th, forcing 11 bus routes onto detours through the city center. The closure between St Chads Queensway and Colmore Circus Queensway runs from 7am Saturday through 7pm Sunday to accommodate a crane lift operation, transit officials said. Services 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 52, 74, 101, 126, X8, and X10 will all follow alternative routes during the weekend closure.

Context

The weekend closure represents one of the more significant temporary disruptions to Birmingham's bus network this year, affecting routes that serve key corridors through the city center. Transit officials said the crane operation requires complete closure of the roadway for safety reasons. The affected section of Snow Hill Queensway is a major artery for bus services connecting various parts of Birmingham. Officials didn't specify what construction project necessitates the crane lift or provide cost estimates for the work.

Details

The 11 affected bus services will follow different diversion routes depending on their direction of travel, with separate instructions for services heading toward Birmingham versus those departing the city center. Diverted buses will use alternative roads including Colmore Row, Weaman Street, Whittall Street, Great Charles Street Queensway, and Livery Street to navigate around the closure. Transit officials said passengers should check the specific diversion route for their individual service number, as each route's detour varies. The agency didn't release detailed maps showing exact diversion paths for each service.

Timeline

The closure takes effect at 7am Saturday, April 4th, 2026, and continues through 7pm Sunday, April 5th. All affected bus services will return to their normal routes immediately after the 7pm Sunday reopening, officials confirmed. The 36-hour closure window allows crews to complete the crane lift operation and clear equipment from the roadway before evening rush begins Sunday.

Impact

Riders on the 11 affected routes should expect longer travel times during the weekend closure as buses navigate detour routes through Birmingham's city center. Transit officials advised passengers to allow extra time for their journeys and check updated schedules before traveling. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated arrival times for all Birmingham routes during the Snow Hill Queensway closure.