Northwest Arkansas trail projects get state money

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department granted eight Northwest Arkansas cities nearly $3.4 million from its Transportation Alternatives Program and the Recreational Trails Program for 2016.

The Transportation Alternatives Program provides money for programs and projects defined as “transportation alternatives” for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. It was authorized by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. It is a reimbursement-type grant program that provides for an 80 percent federal share and a 20 percent local match from eligible applicants.

Benton and Washington county recipients are:

• Bentonville: $500,000 to move the Razorback Greenway at the Southwest 14th Street bike/pedestrian tunnel and $480,000 for a sidepath on McCollum Road.

• Fayetteville: $500,000 for trail connections to the east and west of the Arkansas Research and Technology Park.

• Cave Springs: $500,000 for a connection to the greenway.

• Gravette: $500,000 for trails improvement.

• Lowell: $302,000 for a Cave Springs connector trail.

• Centerton: $263,000 for a Safe Routes to School project.

• Avoca: $160,000 for Avoca Heritage Trail.

• Greenland: $147,000 for the A.J. Allen Park shareduse trail.

Under the Transportation Alternatives Program, eligible projects can include construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities that include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure.

Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails also is eligible.

The department awarded 71 Transportation Alternatives Program projects at $16.5 million and 15 Recreational Trails Program projects at $1.37 million this year.