New Riverwalk street mural, painted crosswalks, arrive in Tampa

The Tampa Riverwalk expansion is one of the biggest projects happening in the city. Tampa officials remain committed to making the city one safe for pedestrian and cyclists. A brand new street mural has just been completed at the transition across Cass Street. These painted crosswalks and intersections are proven safety measures that assist drivers and car-free folks alike.

Overall the City of Tampa aims to expand the Tampa Riverwalk and connect it to more neighborhoods west of the Hillsborough River.  The additional trail will connect to more neighborhoods including West Tampa, Tampa Heights, Bayshore Boulevard, Hyde Park, Riverside Heights, North Franklin Street, and Bowman Heights. The trail will go from North Bayshore Boulevard, near the Platt Street bridge, and will have some over-water segments and living shorelines.

Creating an expansive Tampa Riverwalk

The construction phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2027. This project is part of Mayor Jane Castor and the City’s commitment to Vision Zero, an international strategy to get to zero deaths and life-changing injuries on Tampa’s roadways by improving safety in areas with high numbers of pedestrian and vehicle crashes.   

In the Fall of 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved a $24 million grant to partially fund this project, with funding secured by Representative Kathy Castor through the Federal Highway Administration’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program.  

“The $24M BUILD grant will improve neighborhoods, mobility, and connectivity through 12 miles of multi-modal paths and street improvements,” Representative Kathy Castor said. “I am proud to have championed the City’s vision and the positive impact previous grants have had on our hometown. The previous federal funding of $10M for the Tampa Riverwalk has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the downtown and waterfront. Mayor Castor is a great partner in securing funding and building a safer, friendlier, and connected Tampa.”  

What to read next:

• Massive Target opening in Wesley Chapel
• Inside VR Galaxy Lounge, a virtual reality arcade in Tampa
• Blind Tiger opens new cafe inside International Mall
• Kura Sushi plans to open new Tampa restaurant