The Tempe Town Lake Upstream Bridge will be a 0.2 mile long, grade-separated bicycle and pedestrian crossing west of McClintock Drive connecting Rio Salado's north and south banks. The bridge will provide a low-stress, off-street connection for users of all types with links to the regional bicycle/pedestrian paths like the Indian Bend Wash and Rio Salado Path system. It will include lighting, seating and public art, while remaining ADA compliant.

This project will directly connect the eastern end of the north and south banks of the Rio Salado and the 51+ miles of regional shared-use paths that converge onto these banks.  Completion of this link will allow residents of four communities to directly and safely access regionally significant employment, commercial and entertainment destinations (Tempe Marketplace, Mesa Riverview, Rio Salado Corridor, Old-Town Scottsdale, Arizona State University, etc.), without having to leave a shared-use path, share an arterial or circuitously go to the west end of Town Lake. 

Public Comments and Meetings

  • Public meetings were held April 24, 2018 and public comment was taken from February 15 to March 2, 2018. Read the comments PDF.
  • Public meetings were held February 15, 2018, and comments on the refined designs were taken from April 24 to May 8, 2018. Read the comments PDF.

Funding

In 2018, a Preliminary Design was completed for the bridge and north bank multiuse path with a grant from Maricopa Association of Governments. The City received a funding commitment from South Pier developers, and in January 2025, Tempe was awarded federal RAISE grant of $25 million for the construction of the bridge, north bank multiuse path, and the connection to the Indian Bend Wash Path. The City is responsible for 20% of the cost or $5 million.

Contact: Chase Walman, 480-858-2072, chase_walman@tempe.gov 

Documents