Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and members of the city council held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today opening a pedestrian bridge designed to connect downtown and the future Saban Center to Parker-Haun Park.

Tuscaloosa’s bridge to the future

“18 years ago, when I was sworn in, I promised to build a bridge to the future. 18 years later, that future includes nearly universal pre-K, dual-enrollment scholarships for every single 10th, 11th and 12th grader at our City schools and a higher quality of life. Today that bridge to the future includes this pedestrian bridge. It is going to provide a link between our downtown and our riverfront.”
~ Mayor Walt Maddox

According to a city news release, the new River District Pedestrian Bridge will accomplish the following objectives:

Connect the downtown area to Parker-Haun Park
Slow traffic on Jack Warner Parkway
Allow visitors to safely cross from Parker-Haun Park to the future Saban Center

Unanimous support from the Tuscaloosa City Council

“This is going to be the busiest section of the entire City of Tuscaloosa. With The Saban Center, the amphitheater, the park, this [bridge] is so needed. I just think it’s a very proud moment for the City of Tuscaloosa and I’m just very proud that I was able to support it and work with the City Council that unanimously supported this as well.”
~ Tuscaloosa City Council President Kip Tyner

Downtown Tuscaloosa is growing. As reported by The Bama Buzz, the new Saban Center is expected to open in 2026. Meanwhile, this fall Mercedes-Benz became the title sponsor for the amphitheater.

Want to learn more about the River District Pedestrian Bridge? Visit elevatetuscaloosa.com.