WEST COLUMBIA — The Saluda River Pedestrian Bridge is about 70 percent of the way through the design phase of a project to build a walking path for West Columbia and Columbia residents over the Broad River, connecting the Saluda Riverwalk with the Columbia Canal.

The bridge will be located near the Botanical Gardens entrance to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens on Mohawk Drive in West Columbia.

West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said he hopes the majority of the first phase of the nearly $6 million project will be wrapped up in about six months.

Then the city will be able to begin the permitting process with the S.C. Dept. of Environmental Control and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to be able to get approval on construction of the bridge.

"It's still certainly moving along and it's a project that we're still very, very excited for," Miles told The Post and Courier. "And it's just gonna take a while on the front end with it, because it's so design and permitting heavy."

Miles didn't have an estimate for how much the bridge project has cost thus far.

The Saluda River from the riverwalk accesses on Candi Lane.

Miles looks forward to providing direct river access to neighborhoods like Saluda Gardens off of Mohawk Drive in West Columbia near the Riverbanks Botanical Garden entrance.

"It's going to open up pedestrian-based access to the river and the Riverwalk," Miles said. "And certainly, I'm excited for the expansion of the (Three Rivers) Greenway throughout our entire region."

The Three Rivers Greenway is an expansive trail network aimed at connecting Lake Murray and the Broad, Saluda and Congaree rivers with the surrounding municipalities.

Parts of the West Columbia riverwalk are currently closed due to damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene's deadly arc through the Carolinas.

Miles said he is looking forward to residents having direct river access and to have the city's waterfront amenities tied into the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's planned $80 million expansion. He said this area public access to the restaurant the zoo plans to build.

The Saluda River from a bridge at the Saluda Riverwalk.

"I think that any addition to the area that allows community member access to the outdoors and brings them closer to out beautiful river is a plus," Riverbanks spokesperson Matt Parron said. "I don't see it having a major impact on the zo, though."

Riverbanks is also in the process of a new project which will be up and running in September.

The Saluda Skyride will be a cable car to connect the zoo and garden. The price from the skyride will be included in admission into the zoo. The price for zoo admission will go up, but by how much is not known yet Parron said.

Once the skyride is open, the cars will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.