Politics
Tampa begins bridge work for West Riverwalk extension, marking major project milestone
Construction is ramping up on one of the most technically complex pieces of Tampa’s West Riverwalk extension, as crews install the supports for new overwater pedestrian bridges and overlooks.
Crews are installing nearly 70 drilled shafts and piles to support three overwater structures: the Platt Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Brorein Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Tony Jannus Park Observation Overlook. The supports are being drilled about 40 feet into the riverbed, with some shafts reaching nearly 50 feet deep, according to the city. Each structure will be able to support more than 130 tons. That phase of construction began in May.
The work is part of the nearly $60 million West River BUILD project, an effort to complete the public portions of a 12.2-mile multimodal corridor. The project includes about 2 miles of Riverwalk along the west bank of the Hillsborough River and is intended to better connect surrounding neighborhoods with downtown Tampa, Ybor City, Bayshore Boulevard, Hyde Park, West Tampa and Ridgewood Park.
“Walking along Tampa’s Riverwalk is already an experience, but new elements like the pedestrian bridges will make it even more memorable,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said in the news release. “This is by far one of the most impactful projects Tampa has undertaken to unify communities, create job opportunities, enhance safety, support tourism, and promote healthy lifestyles. The benefits are endless.”
The Haskell Company, the project’s design-builder, is working with Orion Marine Construction on the overwater construction, which requires barges, cranes and heavy-duty drilling equipment. Crews are expected to begin installing the substructure and decks later this Summer once the supports are in place.
Construction is also underway across five of the six West River BUILD segments. That includes about 3 miles of roadway improvements, 2 miles of new Riverwalk, living shoreline construction along the Hillsborough River and complete-street enhancements on Platt Street, Rome Avenue, Columbus Drive, Glenwood Drive, Ross Avenue, North Boulevard and 7th Avenue.
City officials said the West Riverwalk extension is also expected to support continued economic growth in West Tampa, “a community in the midst of a renaissance marked by new businesses, renovated parks, affordable housing, and investment.”
The project is funded through several sources, including a $24 million federal BUILD grant, $10 million from the West Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency, about $7.5 million from Tampa’s Community Investment Tax and roughly $16.8 million through future non-ad valorem bonds. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor also announced $250,000 in additional federal funding earlier this year.
The full project is about 20% complete and is expected to wrap up in Spring 2027.
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