ROGERS -- The City Council approved a $721,000 contract for the section of a northern bike trail loop during its meeting Tuesday.
Construction on the 6,4000-foot stretch from Oak to Walnut streets is planned to start soon, Nathan Becknell, city project engineer, said. He said it's expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Mayor Greg Hines said the city has been working to develop this portion of the trail for many years. He said officials had some trouble figuring out the location for the trail.
"We tried a number of alternative routes but they were met with opposition from residents," Hines said. "We are happy to have found this option. It is really important to the connectivity of our trail."
Becknell said this portion of the trail will pass through Benton County Memorial Park and several restaurants including Damgoode Pies. He said an apartment complex is planned in the area as well.
The section is one of four projects being completed on the northern loop of the bike trail this year, Becknell said. The northern loop will connect to a southern loop once complete. All together the northern and southern loop will include 15.6 miles of trail.
Construction for another 3,500-foot portion of the northern loop has already started, Becknell said. The section will connect near Promenade Boulevard east of Home Depot and travel north to Oak Street. It's expected to be completed in upcoming months. It was approved by the council for $582,000 in December.
Construction of a $95,000 bridge on the trail to cross Turtle Creek also was approved earlier this year, Becknell said. It's expected to be completed in upcoming months.
A fourth part for the northern loop is in design stages, Becknell said. He said it will be for a bridge over Blossom Way Creek along New Hope Road.
The Walton Family Foundation has given the city a $1.8 million matching grant for trails in the northern loop.
Kevin Thornton, foundation's chief communication officer, has said the project is important because it will provide more connectivity to the Razorback Greenway.
Councilman Mark Kruger said it makes it easier for the city to develop trails because of the help from the foundation.
"The trails are a great amenity to have," Kruger said.
A majority of the southern portion of the loop is completed, Becknell said. What's left to do is a small portion of the trail south of the bike park, he said. Another portion will be completed as the city widens Price Lane from Eighth Street to Dixieland Road.
Overall, city officials are planning to build about 17.7 miles of trail between 2015 and 2017, Becknell said. Some of the trails could include updates to sidewalks, he said.
The total also include trails part of the loop such as about 3 miles of trail around Lake Atalanta.
NW News on 04/29/2015