Suggestions made for road, trail money
Gravette project among those expected to benefit from federal funding
A Regional Planning committee on Thursday recommended several projects submitted by cities and counties in Northwest Arkansas for a share of the federal money the region is expected to receive next year for road and trail projects.
The money, based on the area’s population, is administered by the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission.
Regional Planning expects to receive about $9.9 million from the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Transportation Block Grant program for road projects in 2023 and $1.4 million from the Transportation Alternatives Program, which targets trails and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Some of that money, about $8.7 million, is being tapped for ongoing road and trail projects that were selected in prior years.
The programs provide for an 80% federal share and a 20% local match.
There were more requests than money available. Twenty project applications were received with a total request of $18.8 million. Six projects are “in the pipeline” and 14 applications were for new projects. A committee toured and scored projects earlier this month and planning staff then compiled the recommendations.
Most of the projects chosen to receive money didn’t receive as much as requested.
“In the spirit of cooperation, like the last 10 years, we continue to work together to try to get projects funded and move forward,” said Tim Conklin, assistant director at Regional Planning.
Among those projects expecting to receive funding is a Gravette project. Gravette is expected to receive almost $409,000 for phase II of its trail system, which will connect Pop Allum Park with local schools.
The requests will now go to the Policy Committee of Regional Planning for final approval.