Published October 30, 2025
$56.8 million West Riverwalk expansion breaks ground
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Tampa is preparing to break ground on the West Riverwalk Expansion, which will add roughly 2 miles to the iconic community asset on the west side of the Hillsborough River.
The expansion is part of the $56.8 million West River Build project, which also includes 5 miles of roadway safety improvements and connects throughout West Tampa. The new Riverwalk portion will run from Platt Street to Rome Avenue. City leaders are breaking ground on the project Tuesday morning.
It will include pedestrian bridge underpasses, scenic overlooks and 1,500 feet of “living shoreline,” according to the city. The project comprises six connecting segments, allowing the expanded Riverwalk to hug both sides of the Hillsborough River in a 12.2-mile continuous pathway extending to Ballast Point Park.
"What begins today as the turning of soil will soon become the turning point for West Tampa," said Mayor Jane Castor. "This isn’t just a path by the water; it’s a bridge to the future — one that will activate the heart of this neighborhood in ways we can only begin to imagine."
The roadway improvements include upgraded lighting, low-stress bike lanes, improved sidewalks and crosswalks and traffic signal modifications. Targeted streets include Platt, Rome and Columbus, and enhancements will also be made in Ridgewood Park.
The project received $24 million from a federal BUILD grant and $10 million from the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. The total cost for the project had ballooned from the original estimate of $30 million, causing contention among city council as some questioned whether the additional nearly $27 million could be better used elsewhere.
The area will “serve as the centerpiece” of Tampa’s walk-bike network and will connect the East-West Green Spine Cycle track to South Tampa and Seminole Heights.
The city expects the West River Build project to create 500 short-term jobs. CRA Chair Luis Viera said it will be a “game-changer” for West Tampa.
“For too long, this historic community has waited for the kind of investment that not only honors its past but builds a stronger future,” Viera said. “The West Riverwalk will bring real, tangible benefits, from safer streets and better transportation options to economic opportunities that uplift families and local businesses.”
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