Several communities in northeast Arkansas have been awarded funding for trail and sidewalk projects through grants from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
The department announced Thursday that 38 projects statewide were selected to receive approximately $14.7 million from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The program supports projects focused on pedestrians, bicyclists, and other forms of non-motorized transportation. Eligible projects may include improvements such as sidewalks, pedestrian signals, lighting, and other safety-related infrastructure.
Among the recipients are the cities of Jonesboro and Paragould, along with several other northeast Arkansas communities. Specific details on their awarded projects were not immediately provided.
Additionally, ARDOT announced nine projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), totaling approximately $1.4 million statewide. This program provides funding for the maintenance and restoration of existing trails, construction of new trails, and improvements to trail facilities, such as trailheads.
The City of Hoxie was among the recipients of RTP funding, receiving $85,000 for a Rail to Trails safety resurfacing project. The project aims to enhance trail safety and accessibility in the area.
These grant initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure for non-motorized transportation and outdoor recreation across the state. Regional leaders have praised the funding as vital to enhancing both safety and accessibility in local communities.