It’s still nearly a year before the Mission Reach is completed, but a new stretch is now open to the public. The San Antonio River Authority and Bexar County have added an additional 1.5 mile loop near Theo Avenue and a hike and bike bridge over Concepciόn Creek.
SARA General Manager Suzanne Scott said the $3.5 million restoration of this section of the river will include the planting of new trees.
"I think over 2,000 trees are going to be planted in the month of November to begin the next phase of the restoration," Scott said. "We put the vegetation in first and then we come back in and add the trees."
This is the largest ecosystem restoration project of a river in the country.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the county is paying for about $176 million of the $245 million restoration cost through the visitor tax and flood control tax.
"Bexar County is very proud of the fact that we believe we're putting our money into the most important public works project of our time," Wolff said.
When completed in 2013, The Mission Reach project will stretch about 8 miles connecting San Antonio’s Missions along the river.
