24-May-15 – The Riverwalk is open. Two new stretches, at least, from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial west under the State Street and Dearborn Street Bridges, to just west of Clark Street. Barricades were taken down at about 12:25 p.m. on Saturday and the Riverwalk welcomed the general public.

In the half-hour before the Riverwalk opened, workers cleaned pavement, did last-minute adjustments, and cleared away equipment. Joined by family members, the mood among the workers was light perhaps for the first time since January 17, 2014, when access to the Riverwalk was closed west of State Street and construction started.

The west entrance from State Street was opened last so that a handrail could be installed. The first visitors strolled onto the Riverwalk and though not so much crowded, the new rooms were enjoyed all day by young and old.

For the first time ever, people could stand 25 feet out into the middle of the Chicago River, or see up close progress on the next room to open, the sloping steps of River Theater between Clark and LaSalle Streets. That section will open in early June, according to Chicago Department of Transportation.

None of the concessions or restrooms are open yet but work on the arcade spaces under Wacker Drive continued while visitors enjoyed other parts of the Riverwalk.

(Left) A construction worker washes the pavement of the Riverwalk shortly before it opens to the public.

(Right) Workers carry away a barricade that had kept the public off a section of the Riverwalk during construction.

(Left) With the riverfront reflected in its glass, the concession space that will soon be occupied by Flander’s Beer and Fries.

(Left) Construction workers climb over a fence onto the Riverwalk from an area under construction west of the Clark Street Bridge. (Above) A tall visitor to the Riverwalk touches the underside of a walkway that passes below the Dearborn Street Bridge.

(Left) Riverwalk project manager Oswaldo Chaves in an area freshly completed and open to the public.

(Right) Three brothers, all Riverwalk fishermen, between State and Dearborn Streets.

(Left) River Theater construction, from an open part of the Riverwalk.

(Right) The Cove, between Dearborn and Clark Streets, shortly after opening to the public.

(Left) Riverwalk west of State Street late Saturday afternoon.

Construction of the last three sections of Riverwalk will begin this summer and when finished in 2016, extend the path past LaSalle, Wells, and Franklin Streets to Lake Street.

On Friday, after Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial east of State Street, he announced there would be music on the Riverwalk. Events will start this summer and a full list of programs will be released in coming weeks.