Exciting Developments: Tampa's West Riverwalk Construction Set to Commence Soon

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of Tampa is set to embark on the West River BUILD Project, a transformative venture exceeding $56.8 million. This ambitious project aims to enhance connectivity among neighborhoods bordering the Hillsborough River while improving public access to the scenic waterfront.

During a public information session on Thursday night, city officials alongside the design-build firm “Haskell” shared details about the construction schedule and engaged with community members to address their queries and feedback.

Governor DeSantis recently announced a new lane expansion for I-4.

The West River BUILD Project’s construction phase is slated to commence in November 2025.

Spanning 12.2 miles, the project will feature a versatile trail, including a two-mile Riverwalk along the river’s west bank. This trail will seamlessly connect key areas such as West Tampa, Ridgewood Park, Hyde Park, Bayshore Boulevard, the North Franklin Street Historic District, Downtown Tampa, and Ybor City.

Officials added that the project will provide safer options for multimodal users — walkers, bikers, etc.

“It’s really going to stitch together the neighborhood on the west side of the river through West Tampa,” said Brandon Campbell, Interim Mobility Director for the City of Tampa. “Really address the needs of the neighborhood, including an active transportation component, with all of the development that’s happened around the University of Tampa, the new apartments, throughout the neighborhood that have a high demand on our roadway network.”

The city has contracted Haskell, a design-build firm, to construct approximately five miles of the multimodal network, covering the public segments of the Riverwalk.

The project will be built in six segments, with segment five reducing lanes on the bridge between North Rome Avenue and North Riverside Drive from four to three.

“We’re just reallocating the space on the bridge for all the multi-modal users — motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists — and trying to separate them for safety,” said Nina Mabilleau, Transportation Project Coordinator for the City of Tampa.

Not all residents are on board with the changes. JR Kozera expressed concerns about traffic congestion on West Columbus Drive, saying, “I think it’s just going to wreak havoc. Traffic is congested on Columbus already. It needs to be slowed down. But narrowing that bridge, I don’t think, is the answer.”

Privacy is also a concern for some neighbors.

“Would you want to have a multimillion-dollar home and look out your back door and see somebody staring back at you on a walk?” said Dianne McNeilly.

City leaders said the project’s target completion is early 2027.