19-Oct-16 – A dream of walking uninterrupted from the lakefront to the south branch of the Chicago River becomes a reality on Saturday as the last three sections of Chicago Riverwalk open to the public.

Word came from the mayor’s office on Tuesday that the Riverwalk “is set to open this weekend” and then from Mayor Rahm Emanuel himself on Wednesday that Saturday would be the day. An exact time was not offered but a spokesperson for Chicago Department of Transportation says it will not happen before 10 a.m.

“Growing up in the City of Chicago, the Chicago River was an eyesore,” recalled Emanuel. “You couldn’t imagine…that the river would [one day] be a place for people to gather, all walks of life, all backgrounds.”

(Left) With 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly behind him, Mayor Emanuel speaks to reporters on the yet-to-open part of the Riverwalk. Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River, is at far right. Photo by Steven Dahlman.

The mayor walked with 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly and other city officials from the intentionally nondescript Riverwalk room with the new name Riverbank, formerly Boardwalk, on the west side of Franklin Street, to LaSalle Street. Between LaSalle and Wells will be a water feature similar to fountains at Millennium Park. CDOT says it will be “for children and families to engage with water at the river’s edge.”

From Wells to Franklin will be The Jetty with its piers and floating wetland gardens. (Right) The water feature of Water Plaza, the Riverwalk room between LaSalle and Wells. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

The south bank of the Chicago River has been extended 25 feet and the Riverwalk will stretch 1.25 miles.

According to CDOT, in addition to $98 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the project has received $10 million in state funding.