Mayor Richard M. Daley's vision for a continuous walkway along the Chicago River took a step forward today with the City Council's approval to finance its design and engineering along the Main Branch.

The $3.2 million measure will create a plan for new open spaces, overlooks, underbridge connections and walkways along the river's south bank between State and Lake streets.

"The Chicago River is a natural extension of the city's lakefront and the riverwalk will enable more residents, workers and visitors to enjoy it as a natural resource," Mayor Daley said.

Last year, the first phase of the riverwalk opened below the Michigan Avenue and State Street bridges. Its extension to Lake Street will run below five additional bridges, making it possible to walk from Lake Michigan to the western edge of Chicago's Loop without interruption.

Design work will be paid with Open Space Impact Fees. Total construction cost is estimated at $55 million. Expected to include state and federal sources, the construction funds could be fully identified by the time design work is completed, possibly next year. Development would start some time after that.

Open Space Impact Fees are collected from new residential developments to help finance new open space projects within each of the city's 77 community areas.