By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

BIRMINGHAM — U.S. 280 is another step closer to getting a hospital after the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Nov. 30 overturned a lower court ruling that blocked Trinity Medical Center from moving to the now-vacant former HealthSouth building.

The lower court ruling, issued by Montgomery District Judge Jimmy Pool, blocked the certificate of need Trinity was awarded for the hospital in September 2010. The Court of Civil Appeals ruling reinstates that certificate of need, according to a Trinity statement.

The Court of Civil Appeals ruling also sends the case back to Pool and orders him to rule in favor of Trinity.

Trinity Medical Center President Keith Granger said in a statement that plans for the hospital will move forward as soon as Pool enters his ruling.

“We are delighted to take this important step forward with our relocation project, and we appreciate the court’s direction on this matter,” Granger said. “With expedited action from Judge Pool as requested by the court, we hope to have this matter resolved within a few months so we can move forward with planning and construction as soon as possible.”

Construction on the hospital could begin as early as mid-2013. Trinity officials will complete plans for the U.S. 280 facility within months, according to the statement.

“We need a state-of-the-art facility from which to deliver (quality) care, and the 280 community desperately needs convenient access to medical services,” Granger said. “After many years of waiting, today’s decision helps provide increased access to healthcare and enhances patient choice.”

Trinity Medical Center is currently housed in a 45-year-old facility on Montclair Road.