The City of Tampa has begun construction on the West Riverwalk project, a new pedestrian pathway designed to connect the west side of the Hillsborough River with downtown. According to the City of Tampa, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the project.
The project, officially named the West River BUILD Project, will add roadway safety improvements and about two miles of new Riverwalk space. It aims to support community engagement and economic development in neighborhoods that have seen limited growth. The $56.8 million project is funded by a $24 million federal BUILD grant and a $10 million contribution from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. According to Mayor Jane Castor, the project will improve traffic flow and lighting and include river views and pedestrian bridges.
Focused on safety improvements and transportation options, the West Riverwalk will provide accessible routes for residents to reach Tampa’s urban core from West Tampa, Tampa Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods. The city plans a 12.2-mile continuous path for pedestrians along both sides of the river, extending to Ballast Point Park. The project also includes 'complete street' features, such as traffic signal upgrades and improved crosswalks, to help reduce serious traffic accidents.
The project has received strong community support and bipartisan political backing. By investing in West Tampa’s infrastructure, the Riverwalk extension is expected to create about 500 short-term construction jobs and at least 1,000 long-term jobs annually after completion. The project is also projected to generate over a billion dollars in economic growth.
