Tampa’s $34M West River BUILD Project Adds Two Miles of Riverwalk Along Hillsborough River

Work has begun. Crews are building new sections of the West River BUILD Project, which will stretch two miles along the Hillsborough River's west bank. The effort also brings three miles of safer streets to Platt Street, Rome Avenue, and Columbus Avenue.

Mayor Jane Castor spoke about the progress on April 15, at a press conference.

The expansion will link East Tampa and West Tampa through these fresh pathways.

"As with most major rivers, the Hillsborough River is as central to Tampa now as it was when the city was formed," Castor said, according to Fox 13 News. "But while before it was used mainly for shipping and transport, now it serves as a community gathering spot that radiates life and energy. The Riverwalk made this evolution possible, and we cannot wait to complete the missing piece in West Tampa."

Castor pointed out that the east side's future mirrors the west side's current setup. She described how the neighborhoods connect and flow — that's what East Tampa should become. "That's the way our city should be, and that's how it will be in the future," Castor said.

Multiple sections are under construction right now. Workers are installing fresh pavement, bike lanes, and additional lights. They're reinforcing shorelines with living sea walls and building pedestrian underpass bridges. Near Ridgewood Park, a new trail is taking shape.

When finished, this path will form one long 12.2-mile urban trail threading through multiple neighborhoods.

City Council Chairman Alan Clendenin believes the expansion will pull visitors to the area. "It's definitely an example of 'if you build it, they will come,'" he said.

Funding comes from a $24 million federal BUILD grant and $10 million from the West Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency. Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced $250,000 in extra federal money earlier this year.

The project should finish in spring 2027. Officials haven't set a grand opening date yet.