Residents can view, give feedback on Northwest Arkansas transportation plan

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission will soon release and seek feedback on a long-range transportation plan draft, Forward 2050. The plan will provide a policy framework for the region’s transportation system over the next 25 years.

Residents can view the draft plan from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday (Dec. 8) at the Jones Center, Room 228, at 922 E. Emma Ave. in Springdale. Attendees can provide feedback to project staff during the drop-in meeting, which will have no formal presentation.

The draft plan will also be available online. Link here for more information on the plan when it becomes available.

After the draft plan is released, the commission will accept feedback on the plan from Dec. 8 to Jan. 12. Residents can provide feedback via email at [email protected] or online at nwarpc.org/contact.

Earlier this year, the commission received feedback on the plan after releasing findings of a regional transportation survey, which showed a growing demand in Northwest Arkansas for diverse transportation options, including public transit, cycling and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The 2024 Regional Transportation Survey was conducted by Ariel Strategic Communications.

“We’ve heard from residents across the region about what’s working, what could be improved, and the priorities that matter most as our region grows,” said Tim Conklin, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission. “With Northwest Arkansas expected to reach 1 million residents in the next 25 years, Forward 2050 brings together cities, counties, transportation agencies, stakeholders and residents around a shared vision for how the region will move, grow and thrive. It supports real transportation choices — driving, cycling, walking, rolling or taking transit — encourages responsible growth, and prioritizes protecting the natural areas that define Northwest Arkansas. By incorporating community input, Forward 2050 guides investment decisions that create safer, more connected and resilient communities for everyone across the region.”

The regional transportation plan is required by the federal government. As the region’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission updates the plan every five years. Forward 2050 will replace the existing 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, adopted in March 2021.