Jonesboro receives more than $5 million to enhance safety measures along highways

The U.S. Department of Transportation has provided $5.09 million in federal grant funding for improved safety projects along stretches of busy highways in Jonesboro. The amount includes a 25% match from the city.

The announcement comes on the heels of a grant of $500,000 from the Arkansas Department of Transportation for construction of a 1.55-mile, soft trail loop at Lacy Park with a boardwalk and a 150-foot access path.

The first portion of the Northside Safety for All project will provide sidepaths, crosswalk visibility enhancements, pedestrian hybrid beacons, two covered bus stops and ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps on a busy four-lane stretch of Arkansas 141 (North Main Street).

The second is to install LED streetlights on an uncommonly dangerous, poorly lit section of E. Johnson Avenue – where pedestrians have been killed over the years and attempts to increase safety at crosswalks have proven insufficient.

The stretch of E. Johnson connects Arkansas State University with downtown Jonesboro and is used by upward of 20,000 vehicles per day. A-State Chancellor Todd Shields committed to partner with the city in the grant application last July.

“These are two stretches that I always worry about,” Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “They are highways, which puts them under federal and state care, so I want to express my heartfelt gratefulness to A-State, to U.S. Sen. John Boozman as well as the Secretary of Transportation’s office in D.C.”

“Improved lighting dramatically improves safety of both drivers and pedestrians,” Copenhaver added. “And this stretch has a long history of accidents and even fatalities in Jonesboro. This will create needed change.”

The soft-surface trail grant includes a 20% city match and will be known as the “cross-country loop trail” for cross-country activities, bike riding and walking. The 1.55-mile loop with be 12 feet wide and connect to the Jonesboro Parks Department via a 150-foot access path off CWL Drive, which will connect Lacy Park to Joe Mack Campbell Park. Parking across the access point and soccer fields will be used for parking at Lacy Park.

The project was borne of a 2022 National Youth Mountain Bikers event attended by Copenhaver and Parks Director Danny Kapales. Copenhaver noted that a survey showed 47% of Jonesboro residents have been interested in new walking and biking accommodations.

“The people spoke and we listened,” Copenhaver said. “But some projects simply require funding beyond our tax receipts. I commend our grants, engineering and parks departments on this success.”