Booneville, Fort Smith and Van Buren receive money for trails, streetscapes

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) announced award recipients for the 2024 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Booneville, Fort Smith, and Van Buren were among the recipients.

The TAP was reauthorized by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provides funding for programs and projects defined as “transportation alternatives” for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. It is a reimbursement-type grant program that provides for an 80% federal share and a 20% local match from eligible applicants. No member of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation voted in support of the infrastructure law.

Under the TAP, eligible projects can include construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities that include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure. Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails is also eligible.

The City of Fort Smith received $500,000 from the program.

“This generous grant will help finance the continued development of the Maybranch Greenway, a project that expands the city’s trail network and promotes outdoor recreation and connectivity,” said Josh Buchfink, public relations manager for the city.

The city applied for the TAP and RTP grants in May. Once complete, Maybranch Greenway will be an approximately 2.9 mile, 10-foot-wide, concrete greenway that will connect Riverfront Drive to the Kelley Park Ballfields, said Sara Deuster, director of parks and recreation. The Maybranch Greenway is a vital component of Fort Smith’s efforts to create a more walkable and bikeable community, Buchfink said.

“This grant is a testament to the city’s commitment to investing in projects that enhance the quality of life for our residents,” said City Administrator Carl Geffken. “The Maybranch Greenway will not only provide a safe and accessible space for recreation but also strengthen connections between neighborhoods and community hubs.”

Van Buren also received a $500,000 grant for a downtown streetscape project.

“We originally received $492,000 in 2019 but had to put the project on hold as we applied for a FEMA drainage mitigation grant also for downtown,” said Mayor Joe Hurst. “As we waited, the streetscape cost estimated skyrocketed, so we applied for another streetscape to help cover the increases. We are very excited to receive the award.”

The city now has $1 million for the downtown streetscape project along with another $900,000 from the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant, Hurst said. He said the city is still waiting on word from FEMA about that project before they can proceed. The project will look at enhancements on a portion of Main Street in downtown Van Buren and add other areas as well, Hurst said. The city’s streetscape plan continues the whole downtown development project the city has been working on over the past several years.

Booneville received a $245,000 grant for a pedestrian bridge over Booneville Creek.

The RTP is funded through a portion of TAP funds set aside specifically for recreational trails. The funds are eligible for maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, and construction of new trails.

For 2024, a total of 54 TAP projects were awarded in Arkansas for approximately $16.7 million and a total of 11 RTP projects were awarded for approximately $2.5 million.