Primary Details
This project provides for design and construction of a multimodal network for the West River District.
What is the West River District BUILD Project?
In early 2020, the City of Tampa submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a package of mobility and safety improvements in the West River area. In the Fall of 2020, the City of Tampa received notice of a $24M award from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant Program. The grant funds 80% of the project with the remaining 20% to be covered by the City.
Bike & Pedestrian Improvements
Contact Info
Schedule and Costs
Project Overview
This approximately 5-mile-long project involves completing the remaining gaps in what will be a 12.2-mile multi-use pathway and installing enhanced, safe crossing features at major roadways. Several adjacent city streets will be enhanced to provide better sidewalks, bike facilities, and improved community safety. The project will expand connections and provide a variety of safe, accessible mobility options for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the neighborhoods that make up the West River area.
Project Description
The completed multi-use trail will run along both the western and eastern sides of the Hillsborough River. Thanks to funding from local, state, and federal sources along with grants and private donations, the majority of the network has been constructed and specific gaps must be filled to complete the route. The incomplete multi-use path segments on the River's west side are Tony Jannus Park, H.B. Plant Park, the University of Tampa, Tampa Preparatory School, Howard W. Blake High School, Stewart Middle School, and Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center. Additionally, over-water crossings are needed to provide safe connectivity beneath the Platt Street Bridge, Brorein Street Bridge, and Kennedy Blvd Bridge. The pedestrian underpasses will be similar to the existing pedestrian underpasses along the original east-side Riverwalk. Additional multi-use path improvements include site work, new/rehabilitated pavement, guard rails, and pedestrian railing, lighting, landscaping, and seawall/shoreline repair or restoration.
A primary goal of the project is to provide safe walk/bike connections to Downtown Tampa from adjacent neighborhoods, including North Franklin Street/"Yellow Brick Row", Hyde Park, North Hyde Park, West Tampa, Riverside Heights, Bowman Heights, and Ridgewood Park.
In addition to the multimodal path along the river, the City of Tampa will construct 'complete street' enhancements on adjacent street routes through the surrounding neighborhoods in order to improve access to multimodal connections as well as provide additional, safe transportation alternatives. For example, Rome Ave. is a key north-south connector for the City of Tampa, as it provides an important connection under Interstate 275 to surrounding neighborhoods including Tampa’s Downtown. Rome Ave also provides access to employment centers, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. The current roadway lacks key safety features, has intermittent sidewalks, and lacks adequate pedestrian crossings. This project will enhance Rome Avenue to provide a safe, convenient, and low-stress connector for all transportation. To support a low-stress network the City plans to include on-street bike facilities, enhanced crosswalks, and pedestrian walkways. Vertical deflection features to limit speeding are also planned, such as raised intersections or crosswalks.
Where does it connect?
This project will connect Downtown Tampa to West Tampa, Tampa Heights, Bayshore Boulevard, Hyde Park, North Hyde Park, Riverside Heights, Bowman Heights, Ridgewood Park, and Ybor City with multimodal paths and Complete Streets.
What are the benefits to the Community?
- MOBILITY: This project adds to the City’s low-stress walk/bike network by providing a multimodal path separated from vehicle traffic.
- VISION ZERO: This project will improve safety in an area experiencing a high number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes by building Complete Streets and adding traffic calming improvements.
- OPPORTUNITY: The project supports quality of life and economic competitiveness by providing a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle link between the communities in the project area, downtown employment centers, and essential services.
- SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE: Restoration of native shoreline will also increase wildlife rehabilitation, filter stormwater runoff, and increase resiliency to high tides, storms, and hurricanes.
What is the Project Schedule?
- Design-Build Project Advertisement: February 5, 2023
The City’s sole point of contact (POC) for matters related to the RFQ shall be Jim Greiner, 813-274-8598, Jim.Greiner@tampagov.net or ContractAdministration@tampagov.net. The City’s POC is the only individual authorized to discuss this RFQ with any interested parties, including Offerors https://inet.tampagov.net/contract-admin-rfq/rfq-22-c-00001-west-river-district-build-multi-modal-network-improvements-design - Construction Phase Substantial Completion: June 2027
The West River BUILD grant project is an approximately 5-mile multimodal path to safely get people where they want to go along the west side of the river. This project will connect to the existing Riverwalk.