SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Two sections of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway that runs along the San Diego River were connected today via the opening of a quarter-mile-long stretch in Mission Valley.

The new $1.8 million segment runs under state Route 163.

"This pathway gets us one step closer to fulfilling the vision of a continuous pathway from the ocean to the mountains and helps fulfill the mayor's promise of reinvesting more money into San Diego communities," said Councilman Scott Sherman, who represents the area.

In Mission Valley, the trail now runs from under Interstate 805 to behind the Fashion Valley Mall. Another segment extends from the Mission Valley YMCA along the estuary to Ocean Beach.

To the east, hikers and bikers use trail sections along the river in Mission Trails Regional Park, Santee and Lakeside.