Bridging The Gap; Final Segments Of Riverwalk Near Completion

COLUMBUS, GA:The Columbus Riverfront is the backbone of the city. The area that drove industrial development in the region during the early years of Columbus now drives recreation and tourism in the Fountain City. One key element of the Columbus Riverfront is the Chattahoochee Riverwalk. The 22-mile park that runs from Lake Oliver to Fort Benning and has been a staple of Columbus since 1992 and 2019 will allow the Riverwalk to finally be connected for the first time in its history.

The Chattahoochee Riverwalk has been an inspiration to Riverfront development in Columbus. The design orchestrated by the Riverwalk in Columbus has been used in designs and idea generation for other Riverwalks in other cities including the Montgomery Riverwalk in Alabama.

Despite running from Lake Oliver in north Columbus to the National Infantry Museum at the entrance of Fort Benning the Riverwalk carried two major gaps in it. The first was located near what was once the Bibb Mill in the Bibb City section of Columbus. The North Highlands Dam created major problems due to elevation concerns in the area and that part of the Riverwalk was left unfinished.

Bikers have found their way to the new portion of the Riverwalk near the Bibb Mill

A second part of the Riverwalk was not completed near the City Mills structure located north of the TSYS Uptown Campus. Crews from Southeastern Site Development of Newnan, Georgia have been working on both sections of the Riverwalk and despite weather related delays in construction the work is nearly done and the Riverwalk is about to be completed for the first time in its history.

Crews are working to complete this new section of the Riverwalk near the City Mill's in Columbus.

A dynamic and breathtaking view now captivates the two new sections of the Riverwalk. To complete the connection of the Riverwalk near the Bibb Mill the Riverwalk had to be elevated. Today at nearly 30-foot high structure of bridges now connects the Riverwalk. While climbing the Riverwalk at the bridges users of the park will get breathtaking views of the top of the North Highlands Hydroplant.

In addition to the new bridges, crews have created a mini-park at the top of the structure in a former part of the Bibb Mill which burned in October 2009. Former windows are open in bricks that once made up walls of one of the largest textile mills in the southeast. Through those former windows views of the River and the dam are delightful eye candy. Breathtaking views of the river both north and south also are a treat of the new section of the Riverwalk.

Benches and new lighting have also been installed in the new section of the Riverwalk near the Bibb Mill. Crews are still working on the section of the Riverwalk, but users of the path have already discovered the new connection and are utilizing it and taking in its natural beauty. During the dedication of the Owen T. Ditchfied Bridge in Columbus in December, city officials hinted that a dedication for the new sections of the Riverwalk may be held early this year.

This new area of the Riverwalk near the Bibb Mill allows for breathtaking views of the North Highland Dam.

A second portion of the Riverwalk is still closed for pedestrian use at the City Mills of Columbus. A winding path has been constructed between the two buildings of the City Mills 5-story structures, but is chained off as crews put the finishing touches on the area. New parking is also expected to be added near the City Mills area of the Riverwalk.

The completion of the Riverwalk becomes the latest pedestrian project to be constructed in Columbus. The Follow Me Trail in South Columbus was officially dedicated in December when the Owen T. Ditchfield Pedestrian Bridge was completed over Victory Drive to connect the path. Other projects taking place in the city presently include a new bike and walking path being constructed on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Columbus. A streetscape project is making that roadway more pedestrian friendly. Similar improvements are expected along Fort Benning Road in South Columbus where a streetscape project is also presently underway.

These 30-foot bridges span above the North Highlands Dam in Columbus allowing Riverwalk users easy access by the point of the River.

These projects join the ranks of the Riverwalk and the Fall Line Trace which span the city as part of the Rails to Trails projects of Columbus. Walking, Biking, and Jogging paths now dominate all sides of Columbus. The connection of the Riverwalk is expected to be the next completed project in Columbus.

Additional improvements to the Columbus Riverwalk and Riverfront may be in the near future. City leaders have discussed the possibility of improvements to the Mott's Greenspace area of the Riverwalk near the 14th Street Pedestrian Bridge. A new park is also being constructed near The Rapid's residential development on the Riverfront. The park constructed by local development company The W.C. Bradley Company is accompanying the multi-million dollar mid-rise apartment complex on the river in Downtown Columbus. The Rapids development is the next phase in a multi-phase riverfront development that includes apartments, offices, businesses, and a possible new hotel on the Riverfront between 12th Street and 14th Street in Uptown. Future projects may result in additional improvements to the Riverwalk in Columbus.