Reviewed by: Lauren Perry
NEW: Tuscaloosa opens River District Pedestrian Bridge
![Civic Tuscaloosa](https://i0.wp.com/thebamabuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/River-District-Pedestrian-Bridge-Ribbon-Cutting-High-Res-7-scaled-e1701813528184-1024x536.jpg?resize=1024%2C536&quality=89&ssl=1)
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
![Civic Tuscaloosa](https://i0.wp.com/thebamabuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/River-District-Pedestrian-Bridge-Ribbon-Cutting-High-Res-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=89&ssl=1)
“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
![Civic Tuscaloosa](https://i0.wp.com/thebamabuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/318779908_514980204007144_3730576291391836647_n-e1699452024897-1024x536.jpg?resize=1024%2C536&quality=89&ssl=1)
“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.