The state has awarded $1.5 million to the Riverwalk South and Gateway project in Hartford.

The project is the last piece of a three-mile loop of fully accessible riverwalks between the Founders and Charter Oak bridges, and more than 4.5 miles of riverwalks in Riverfront’s four parks along the Connecticut River.

The funds, which are planned to be approved today at the State Bond Commission meeting, will allow for improvements to Riverfront’s existing gravel walkway and a new entrance to the Riverfront, linking the Coltsville and Sheldon Charter Oak neighborhoods to the Riverfront parks.

"This project will help revitalize Hartford and East Hartford along the Connecticut River, creating a vision that will spur activity along the riverfront while highlighting some of the region’s most charming assets," Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a statement. "The funding will help the project accomplish important design goals as well as create up to five short-term jobs."