CONSTRUCTION IS FINISHED ON THE
WEST COLUMBIA RIVERWALK EXTENSION!!

Mayor Bobby Horton, River Alliance Chairman Jim Smith, and members of West Columbia City Council break ground on the new West Columbia Riverwalk Extension

         Mayor Bobby Horton, the City of West Columbia and The River Alliance broke ground on the construction of the West Columbia Riverwalk Extension on Tuesday, March 14.  This phase will add a half-mile to the Three Rivers Greenway along the Congaree River in West Columbia and will open access for fishing, enjoying views of the pristine islands and Columbia skyline, as well as enjoying the tranquil sounds of water rippling over large river boulders.

        The stretch of property for the new extension is located between the Gervais Street Bridge and the Jarvis Klapman Boulevard Bridge and will connect to the West Columbia Riverwalk near the Riverwalk Amphitheater.  This section of Greenway, which connects Cayce and West Columbia, has been in use for nearly 3 years and boasts over 300 visitors per hour in good weather.

The new portion of the Greenway will include ADA capable, lighted, paved trails, emergency call boxes, park benches, and other amenities found on existing portions of the Greenway.  A new parking area will be added on the northern end of the extension off Moffett Street and regular policing will increase the safety of the area.

The West Columbia Riverwalk Extension is anticipated to be open for public use in late spring 2006.