Saline County Judge Jeff Arey has released a public update on the process of creating a walking and biking trail that spans three counties, tentatively called the Southwest Trail. Find out the status of the project study, schedule information, and how to be notified when the next public meeting is scheduled.
The trail is approximately 60 miles long and located in parts of Garland, Saline, and Pulaski counties. The project team has held public meetings and taken into account the input from citizens, working on the alignment and looking at environmental studies by Garver for the design. There will likely be another public meeting in the fall of 2019.
The project team has to consider many items that might be in the path of the trail, including:
- road crossings
- bridges and culverts
- railroad crossings
- residential and business impacts
- economic and indirect impacts
- Environmental Justice
- wetlands and floodplains
- endangered species
- access and user safety
- community connections
- trail grade
- hazardous materials sites
- right of way
Funding for construction has not been determined, and the availability of funding will dictate when the trail sections are built and complete. It is likely the trail will be built in sections and over a period of time as funding allows. It is too early to say when construction will begin and be complete, but portions of the trail could begin to be built as early as fall 2020.
The preliminary estimate to fund the construction is approximately $42 million, which does not include any right-of-way acquisition. It is anticipated that the trail will be funded through a variety of ways, including grants and private financing.
To see the materials and various trail alignments shown at the public meetings in November 2018, visit SWTrail.TransportationPlanroom.com. You can also email questions and comments to [email protected].
PREVIOUSLY:
- County Judge Details Progress and Goals for Southwest Trail for Biking and Walking
- Agencies Show Plans for SW Trail for Walking & Biking in Saline, Pulaski & Garland Counties
- Video: County Judge Gives Presentation on Proposed SW Trail, Spanning Three Counties
- Bryant Planning Meeting Feb 13 to Cover New Businesses, Subdivision & Trails
- Bryant Spells Out Possible Future of Streets and Trails (maps, video)
- Benton City Council to Discuss Budget, Salaries, 911, Grant, City Clock, Purchases, Annexing, Trails
- Trails, Fire, Police, Tech, Boys & Girls, Seniors & yes, Tacos
- Saline County Projects to Get Over $1M in AHTD Grants for Trails, Sidewalks & Old River Bridge
- Public Shares Big Ideas With City for the Future of Downtown Benton