Counties schedule meetings on plans for Southwest Trail

HOT SPRINGS — Garland County, in coordination with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration, will conduct a public involvement meeting from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Embassy Suites Hot Springs, 400 Convention Blvd.

The meeting is to present and discuss location alternatives for the Southwest Trail, a proposal to create a 60-mile, multiuse trail connecting Hot Springs to Little Rock.

The meetings will be an open-house style where residents can view displays, ask questions and offer comments about the proposed project, according to a news release. Identical meetings will be held in Saline and Pulaski counties on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

“Pulaski, Saline, and Garland counties are studying location alternatives for the Southwest Trail,” said Jon Hetzel, communications manager for Garver LLC. “The public meetings will provide trail information and seek feedback from the public as part of the environmental assessment process. This study is looking to identify a preferred trail alignment that minimizes the negative impacts to the natural and social environment while addressing the needs of the project to the greatest extent possible.”

Hetzel said a primary alignment will be shown on the maps along with 17 optional segments. These segments, he said, provide alternative trail sections for the public to consider and comment on.

The trail’s proposed route will connect Hot Springs National Park, the Old River Bridge in Saline County, the Little Rock Central High School Historic Site, and the Arkansas River Trail system. It’s anticipated to be used by cyclists, runners, walkers, bird-watchers, and nature enthusiasts, he said.

Hetzel said the approximately $40 million estimated cost is “preliminary and subject to change” and does not include the cost of any right of way acquisitions.

The environmental assessment began in April 2018, he said, and is projected to be complete in fall 2019. A second public meeting will be held toward the end of the study.

“This is an open house without any formal presentations,” Hetzel said. “Attendees can come any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to come, watch a brief PowerPoint presentation, look over large maps showing the proposed primary alignment with optional trail segments, review exhibits with additional information, ask questions of team members, and provide thoughts on comment forms.”