As of a warm and sunny April 23, pedestrians can once again pass through the portion of the Detroit RiverWalk between Beaubien and Rivard streets.
The less than half-mile section of the RiverWalk had been closed since Nov. 20, 2025, for the installation of an underground drainage system from Atwater Street to the Detroit River, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Transportation. The construction was part of the Interstate 375 project.
In addition to reopening the RiverWalk, crews opened Atwater and Franklin streets to through-traffic between St. Antoine and Rivard streets, according to the April 23 MDOT news release.
The new storm sewer outfall will support cleaner water being discharged into the Detroit River and relieve pressure on the existing city combined sewer system after heavy rain events, according to MDOT. The installation will reduce the risk of flooding on nearby streets and neighborhoods.
“The RiverWalk is vital to the community, especially as we approach the warm weather months,” said MDOT Metro Region Deputy Engineer Jason Garza. “Crews worked diligently through harsh winter and wet spring conditions to achieve our goal of reopening prior to seasonal festivities starting up.”
Upcoming events planned by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the nonprofit that oversees the Detroit RiverWalk and associated parks and greenways, include painting rain barrels on the riverfront on Saturday, April 25, a Spring into Wilson celebration on Saturday, May 16, at the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park that opened this fall, and the 2026 Detroit Riverfront Run 5k and 10k on Saturday, June 6.
Outside of events, the nearly 5-mile path draws walkers, runners, bikers and sightseers to the Detroit River daily. From 2021 to 2023, USA Today readers voted the Detroit RiverWalk the best riverwalk in the U.S.
The conservancy is continuing to build toward its vision of 5.5 miles of path from Belle Isle to the Ambassador Bridge, Director of Public Relations Marc Pasco said on April 23. The east side of the path is complete, Pasco said, and there’s a half-mile left to build west of Ralph C. Wilson park. There is currently no timeline for its completion, Pasco said.
Currently, the conservancy oversees 8 miles of paths, including the riverfront and three greenways: the Dequindre Cut, Mayor Dennis W. Archer Greenway and the Southwest Greenway.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Riverwalk reopens between Beaubien, Rivard streets
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
