Residents and visitors in Memphis should prepare for ongoing construction on Riverside Drive, as the city undertakes a road enhancement project. The stretch of road from Georgia Avenue to Beale Street is set to remain closed through August 15. The City of Memphis has announced the updates to improve walkability and accessibility of this riverside area.
The construction includes a transition that will resize the road down to two lanes, a move dubbed a "road diet," to make room for additional public parking. This upgrade is not merely an aesthetic tweak but a functional shift designed to create more public parking, with a mix of paid and free parking days, alongside a more pedestrian-focused environment. The added parking will increase spots from 65 to 88, and the amount of ADA spaces will double from 4 to 8.
According to the city's communication, this project is part of a larger initiative to boost infrastructure and cultivate safe, energetic, and welcoming spaces throughout downtown Memphis. While Riverside Drive will be off-limits to vehicles for the duration of the work, pedestrians will still be able to access nearby riverfront attractions. Detours and traffic control during this period are under the purview of Montgomery Martin Contractors, with Robert Tate at the helm as the project manager.
For those concerned about disruptions, the city has placed clear detours and insists that pedestrian pathways to the waterfront will stay accessible throughout the renovation process. Traffic control and proper guidance is ensured by Montgomery Martin Contractors. As Project Manager Robert Tate puts it, the effort is “part of the City’s ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure and supporting safe, vibrant, and inclusive spaces in downtown Memphis,” as noted by the city's website.
