Metroplan, the long-range planning organization for central Arkansas, on Monday announced it has awarded $17.35 million in grants to nine cities and two counties for transportation projects around the region.
The funds are provided through the federal Surface Transportation Block Grant program.
Sherwood received the largest grant, a $4 million award, for roadway improvements on Jacksonville Cato Road from Lybrand Drive to Highway 107.
The second-largest grant, a $2.4 million award, went to Saline County for additional design on the Southwest Trail from the Old Saline River Bridge to the Garland County line. The rail-to-trail project is foreseen as a central Arkansas piece of the state’s bicycle tourism boom.
Other grant recipients, award amounts and projects are:
- Benton was awarded $400,000 to design improvements to Congo Road from Shenandoah Road to Longhills Road
- Bryant was awarded $220,000 for design on the Bryant Parkway Trail
- Cabot was awarded $480,000 to design improvements to Kerr Station Road from Campground Road to Highway 321
- Conway was awarded $1 million in supplemental funding for the Salem Road Bridge. The city also received $1 million for additional design on the upcoming Connect Conway trail project.
- Jacksonville was awarded $2.25 million for additional construction costs on its West Main Street realignment project
- Little Rock was awarded $1.08 million to construct phase 2 of its Markham Street improvement project from Cedar Street to Martin Street
- Maumelle was awarded $2.08 million in additional funding for Club Manor Drive roadway improvements and multi-use side path project from Odom Boulevard to Millwood Circle
- North Little Rock was awarded $545,000 to extend Crystal Hill Road from its current alignment near Dewafelbaker Lane to Maumelle Boulevard at Corporate Drive
- Pulaski County was awarded $1.3 million to construct improvements on Chicot Road from Castle Valley to Green Road. The county also received $600,000 for additional engineering on the Southwest Trail