A game-changer for west Tuscaloosa: City breaks ground on Riverwalk extension
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The city of Tuscaloosa broke ground on the Western Riverwalk extension Monday morning at Oliver Lock and Dam Park. The extension will ultimately connect the waterfront walkway from the Oliver Dam all the way to McWright's Ferry Road when the project is fully completed.
The extension will do more than simply connect west Tuscaloosa with the downtown area, according to Tuscaloosa City Councilman Matthew Wilson. He said the walking path will open the area to new possibilities.
"This project is a game-changer for west Tuscaloosa. From my understanding, this project is long overdue. The connectivity, the economic development and the residential development is what's going to bring even more value and opportunity to this area," Wilson said.
More: New trailhead, phase of Riverwalk officially opens in north Tuscaloosa
Mayor Walt Maddox touted the project as a continuation of the city's commitment to residents in West End. Wilson said the project will fill a need for investment in the west side of town.
"The western cluster has been so long neglected. Not only do I think, I know that this will be a game-changer for my community, my district, and the beginning of more uplift for the city of Tuscaloosa," Wilson said.
The extension will be a multi-use paved pathway for both walkers and bicyclists and will run from the Oliver Lock and Dam Park and connect with the existing Riverwalk that ends near the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The Western Riverwalk is expected to be complete and open to the public in 2024, according to a news release from the city.
Maddox said the new extension, which the city's website said is budgeted for $23,393,243, will be just over a mile in length and will incorporate 94 lights and several dozen security cameras. The city's Elevate Tuscaloosa fund is providing over $8 million in funding, the city's general fund is supplying nearly $349,000 and a U.S. Department of Transportation Build Grant is supplying $15 million. The extension will be a part of the overall plan to extend the paved path across the river.
"As I mentioned, later on, when the Woolsey Finnell Bridge (expansion) is complete, we will have a pedestrian access that will connect this spot here all the way to McWright's Ferry Road and Watermelon Road," Maddox said.
Since the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk’s first phase broke ground in 2002, millions of public and private dollars have been invested in new projects along its path.
Reach Gary Cosby Jr. at gary.cosby@tuscaloosanews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Game-changer: Tuscaloosa breaks ground on Western Riverwalk extension
