By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

BIRMINGHAM — The Alabama Supreme Court today ruled in favor of Trinity Medical Center’s relocation to the now-vacant HealthSouth building on U.S. 280.

The Supreme Court refused to consider Brookwood Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Hospital’s continued arguments against Trinity’s relocation, according to a Trinity release.

The Supreme Court ruling cannot be appealed, meaning that Trinity now has a clear path to opening its hospital.

“This is the green light we have awaited for more than four years,” said Trinity Medical Center President Keith Granger in a statement. “We are absolutely elated with this outcome and look forward to bringing enhanced access to healthcare to our community, along with thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact.”

Once construction — expected to begin in late summer 2013 — is underway, the hospital is expected to take 18-24 months to complete. Trinity will be the anchor of the Cahaba Center at Grandview campus, which will also include hotels, office buildings, parking decks and retail businesses, according to the release.

“This really is a win-win for the people of Alabama,” said Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey in a statement. “The fastest-growing area in the state, along Highway 280 in Birmingham, is now assured it will have convenient access to hospital care in the next few years, and the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in the hospital and surrounding development will create good jobs for Alabamians.”

When the 15-year Cahaba Center at Grandview development project is complete, an estimated 5,500 people could be employed there, creating $405 million in estimated additional annual earnings for the region, according to the release.