Southwest Trail design team talks changes to route
During a recent virtual meeting, the design team for the Southwest Trail explained some changes to the proposed route for the Southwest Trail project and announced that construction on the trail is expected to begin this year in Saline and Pulaski counties.
The approximately 60-mile trail will travel through Pulaski, Saline and Garland counties and has been designed to connect the Hot Springs National Park, the Old River Bridge over the Saline River, the Little Rock Central High School and the Arkansas River Trail. The trail has been designed for both pedestrians and bicyclists and is expected to bring recreation and an economic stimulus to local communities and the region, according to the design team.
The purpose of the recent virtual meeting was to discuss nine adjustments to the route. Four of those adjustments are located within Saline County and one change is located on the Pulaski/ Saline County line.
Brent Thomas, a landscape architect with Garver Engineering, explained the reasoning behind each change.
Revisions located in Saline County include:
•A section of the trail on Germania Road and South Alexander Road. Thomas said that the route has been moved from the west side of the road to the east side because of utilities and grade difficulties.
•A section of the trail spanning from Bauxite to Benton. The trail has been moved to Edison Avenue instead of staying on the old railroad right of way in this area.
•A section of the trail through Benton leading to the Saline River Bridge. The trail was originally expected to constructed the trail on West Hazel Street and River Street, but because of utility and right-of-way issues, the trail has been shifted to South Market Street.
•A section that is southwest of Benton near the Interstate 30 and US 70 interchange. Because of grading issues, the trail has been moved to the bottom of a slope.
More information about this project as well as maps of the trail and alignment adjustments and a recording of the meeting is available at www.swtrail.transportationplanroom.com.
The construction for this project is expected to begin this year
in Saline and Pulaski counties. All of the counties have received grant funding to be used for the project, according to Wallace Smith, director of federal services with Garver.
Saline County has received grant funding for right-of-way acquisition, Thomas said.
Pieces of the project will be constructed as funding is available and each jurisdiction will be responsible for maintaining the trail after it is built.
The construction is expected to cost between $50 and $60 million. The annual economic benefit is predicted to be $4.8 million.
During the virtual meeting, individuals had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the project. Some individuals asked where the trail would be located in reference to their properties.
It was also noted during the question-and-answer portion that some communities are planning to construct other trails that will connect to the Southwest Trail.
For this phase of the project, the team will be accepting comments until May 18.
There is an option to send online comment forms to project staff, or individuals can print the form and mail it to Attn: Lindi Miller, 4701 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118. If individuals do not have internet access, they are encouraged to contact Lindi Miller at 501-823-0730 or Publicinvolvement@Garverusa.com to ask questions about the proposed project and how to access the project information.