Northwest Arkansas cities get state money for trails

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Department of Transportation has announced the award recipients for its Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program for 2017, including several projects in Benton and Washington counties.

The Transportation Alternatives Program provides money for programs and projects for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. It was authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 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.

Eligible projects include construction of on-road and off-road trails that include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure. Converted abandoned railroad corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails are also eligible.

The Recreational Trails program is paid for with part of Transportation Alternatives Program money. This money is used for maintenance and restoration of trails, development and renovation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail links, and construction of trails.

Transportation alternatives projects received $3,418,000 for 18 projects statewide and 14 trails projects got $1,595,000.

Local projects that received money are:

• Wedington and Interstate 49 shared use, paved trail in Fayetteville, $332,000.

• Muddy Fork walking trail in Prairie Grove, $140,000.

• Neighborhood Safe Routes to School Connection in West Fork, $181,000.

• A trailhead and trail project in Lowell, $485,000.

NW News on 11/01/2017

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