Birmingham Routes 97, 97A Detour for Highway Work

Birmingham bus routes 97 and 97A detour March 31 for highway lining work on Bordesley Green

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Birmingham Routes 97, 97A Reroute March 31

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Birmingham bus riders on routes 97 and 97A will face detours Tuesday as highway work closes a section of Bordesley Green, transit officials said. The closure between Victoria Street and Tilton Road runs from 9:30am to 2:30pm on March 31, 2026, affecting service in the Bordesley Green area. NX Bus West Midlands confirmed both routes will follow alternative paths during the five-hour closure.

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The temporary closure allows crews to complete highway lining works on Bordesley Green, according to the transit agency. Road maintenance projects typically require full street closures to ensure worker safety and allow equipment access, transit officials said. The work is scheduled during midday hours to minimize impact on morning and evening commutes. Officials didn't specify whether additional closures might be needed if work extends beyond the scheduled timeframe.

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Buses heading toward Birmingham will detour via Victoria Street, Green Lane, Coventry Road, Cattell Road, Tilton Road, and Garrison Lane, officials said. Buses traveling from Birmingham will follow the reverse route. The diversion adds several turns to the normal path but maintains service to the area throughout the closure period. Officials didn't provide estimates for how much additional travel time riders should expect on the detoured routes.

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Normal service on routes 97 and 97A will resume once the road closure ends at 2:30pm Tuesday, transit officials confirmed. The agency said the diversion will ensure continued service while highway works are completed. Officials advised riders to allow extra time for travel during the closure period but didn't specify how much additional time might be needed.

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Riders should plan their journeys accordingly and expect possible delays on affected routes Tuesday afternoon, officials said. The transit agency said passengers can check for service updates as the closure date approaches, though specific details about real-time notifications weren't provided. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and alternative route suggestions for Birmingham transit riders during service disruptions.