Arkansas State University Mountain Home (ASUMH) has been awarded $98,000 to improve the James and Sally Moore Recreational Trail. The funds are part of a $16.1 million statewide investment in walking trails, sidewalks, and pedestrian safety initiatives.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) announced the funding through its 2026 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program. TAP provides federal funding to projects designed to enhance access and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users of nonmotorized transportation. Eligible improvements include walking and biking trails, sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, and other safety features.
According to ARDOT, TAP projects operate on a reimbursement basis, with the program covering 80% of eligible costs and requiring a 20% local match. A total of 38 TAP projects across Arkansas were awarded approximately $14.7 million, while another $1.4 million was distributed to nine projects through the Recreational Trails Program, which focuses specifically on recreational trail construction and enhancements.
The Mountain Home project is among the initiatives selected for funding this year. Elsewhere in the state, Little Rock secured the largest individual award with $1.6 million for pedestrian improvements along Highway 5, also known as Stagecoach Road, in the Otter Creek area. Other significant awards included $922,000 for a multiuse trail connector at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro, $714,000 for the first phase of Sheridan’s parks trail system, and $650,000 for the seventh phase of Paragould’s 8-Mile Creek Trail.
The Recreational Trails Program, funded as a subset of TAP, supports the development of new trails, improvements to existing routes, and connections between recreational facilities. Through initiatives like this, Arkansas continues to invest in infrastructure to promote safety and accessibility for nonmotorized transportation.