METROPLAN ANNOUNCES $16.5 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDING GRANTS
August 30, 2023
Little Rock, AR – The Metroplan Board of Directors recently awarded $16.5 million towards
transportation improvement in Central Arkansas.
Funding is provided through the Surface Transportation Block Grant and Carbon Reduction
Programs, federal-aid transportation programs administered by the Federal Highway
Administration that provide funding for transportation improvement projects. Metroplan
awards funding to qualifying projects based on applications from member jurisdictions and a
rigorous review process. Below are the 15 projects that were awarded for the 2024 program
cycle.
The list of awarded projects reflects the Metroplan Board’s commitment to investments in the
Central Arkansas Regional Greenways, as well as projects that address several safety and
congestion issues at intersections.
Sponsor – Project – Phase – Federal Project Award
City of Austin -Highway 38 / N Lincoln traffic signal Construction $230,000
City of Benton -Southwest Trail Construction $900,000
City of Bryant -SW Trail Connector Design $170,000
City of Cabot -Regional Greenways (Phase 2) Construction $1,160,000
City of Cabot -Regional Greenways (Phase 3) Design $300,000
City of Conway -Salem Road Reconstruction Construction $3,000,000
City of Greenbrier -Hwy 65 Overpass Design $300,000
City of Little Rock -Broadway Street Design $400,000
City of Little Rock -Markham Street Road Diet Construction $1,100,000
City of Maumelle -Club Manor Corridor Improvements Construction $1,100,000
City of North Little Rock -Crystal Hill Reconstruction Construction $3,000,000
City of Sherwood -Central Arkansas Greenway Design $460,000
City of Wrightsville -Hwy 145th Design $80,000
Pulaski County -Southwest Trail Construction $3,000,000
Saline County -Southwest Trail Construction $1,300,000
Total $16,500,000
Metroplan is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for the four-county region of
Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, and Saline counties. It is a voluntary association of local governments that has
operated since 1955. For more information, see www.metroplan.org.
2024 Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG)
Awarded Projects
1. Austin has been awarded funding to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Highway
38 and North Lincoln Street. The signal will improve safety and efficiency for motorists
and pedestrians around a school zone and is expected to decrease the number of
accidents.
2. Benton has been awarded funding to construct 1.6 miles of the Regional Greenways,
Southwest Trail, corridor from Market/Hazel St. intersection to the Saline River Bridge.
3. Bryant has been awarded funding to engineer 2 miles of the Regional Greenways,
Bryant Southwest Connector Trail, from Hill Farm Rd/Bryant Pwky intersection to Hwy
183/ Sardis Rd intersection. The larger trail will seamlessly connect Bryant residents to
the Southwest Trail and help complete 12 miles of planned trails in the city.
4. Cabot has been awarded funding to construct 1.1 miles of the Northeast corridor of the
Regional Greenways. This section will start at the Cabot Freshman Academy and
continue to the city of Austin city limits.
5. Cabot has been awarded funding to engineer 2 miles of the Regional Greenways,
Northeast corridor, from Lincoln/Pine St intersection to Kerr Station Park.
6. Conway has been awarded funding to continue with the Salem Rd. improvement project
between Dave Ward Dr. and College Ave. The project will accommodate current and
future traffic, add curbs and gutters, and upgrade pedestrian/bicycle facilities.
7. Greenbrier has been awarded funding to engineer a pedestrian overpass on Highway 65
connecting Greenbrier Junior High to Matthews Park. The overpass is integral to
Greenbrier’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master plan.
8. Little Rock has been awarded funding to redesign Broadway Street from 17th Street to
Roosevelt Road. This corridor will undergo a “road diet” that reconfigures the road from
four to two lanes and adds a center turn lane; increasing safety for pedestrians and bike
riders as well as drivers.
9. Little Rock has been awarded funding to reconstruct Markham Street from Cedar Street
to Pearl Ave. The corridor will undergo a “road diet” that reconfigures the road from
four to two lanes and adds a center turn lane to increase safety for pedestrians and bike
riders as well as drivers. The intersection at Markham and Kavanaugh will be
reconstructed to improve safety for the foot traffic generated by local businesses.
10. Maumelle has been awarded funding to construct 1 mile of the Regional Greenways,
Northwest trail, corridor along Club Manor Road from Millwood Circle to Odom
Boulevard. This project will be a part of connecting the Regional Greenways and will aid
in generating a safer transportation mode.
11. North Little Rock has been awarded funding to construct 4,200 feet of a Crystal Hill
Road extension with an adjacent side path and other bike-pedestrian accommodations
between Maumelle Blvd/Corporate Dr intersection to the city’s boundary with
Maumelle. This project will provide more connectivity and safety, while serving as an
alternate to the often congested Maumelle Blvd.
12. Sherwood has been awarded funding to engineer .9 miles of the Regional Greenways,
Northeast corridor, from Gap Creek Drive to Oneida Street. This project will aid in the
wider connection of the Regional Greenways and provide alternate transportation to
pedestrians and cyclists.
13. Wrightsville has been awarded funding to engineer concept plans that will improve
safety and efficiency on 145th Street. This design will explore a roundabout for the
intersection at 145th St. and Hwy 365, as well as benefits to adding curbs and gutters,
sidewalks and drainage improvements for the corridor.
14. Pulaski County has been awarded funding to construct a portion of the Regional
Greenways, Southwest Trail, corridor from Pulaski/Saline County line to Central High
School. This project will be a part of connecting the Regional Greenways and will provide
alternative transportation for pedestrians and cyclists in Pulaski, Saline, and Garland
Counties.
15. Saline County has been awarded funding to construct 2.5 miles of the Regional
Greenways, Southwest Trail corridor, from Pulaski/Saline County line to Germania Road.