It may have been where the city started, but the riverfront has largely been neglected — and disconnected — from the greater downtown area for decades. Until now.
Construction officially begun Monday, May 19 on the Grand Boulevard Bike/Pedestrian Bridge, a 1,285-ft addition that will create a direct, safe path between downtown and the burgeoning Berkley Riverfront development. That’s right — no more sprinting across the Grand Viaduct, which still doesn’t have sidewalks (seriously).
The new bridge will stretch from Second and Grand all the way to the riverfront, running parallel to the viaduct and giving walkers, bikers, and stroller-pushers a protected lane to CPKC Stadium, the Streetcar extension, and everything else popping up along the water.
“The great thing is that we are literally creating a new neighborhood, “ said 4th District Councilman Crispin Rea, “We know we have folks that are taking alternative routes, who are walking long distances, but this is gonna be one more option to connect this incredible area to the rest of downtown.”
Safe, scenic, and stadium-bound? That’s a bridge we’ll cross gladly.
