Southwest trail: saline river bridge - garland CO. (saline CO.) (S)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the Arkansas Department of Transportation $787,500 through the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) on September 3, 2025, to construct an 11.5-mile portion of the Southwest Trail west of the Old River Bridge in Saline and Garland Counties, Arkansas. The project is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2027. This formula grant supports the development of recreational trail infrastructure as an eligible activity under the Highway Planning and Construction program, which authorizes federal funding for multimodal transportation network development including pedestrian and bicycle facilities alongside traditional highway construction and bridge projects.

The Southwest Trail project represents ArDOT's continued investment in recreational trail development across the state, consistent with the agency's broader portfolio of transportation infrastructure improvements funded through formula allocations and discretionary grants from FHWA. As a state-administered federal highway program, project selection and administration occur through established state transportation planning processes, with FHWA division office oversight and approval required before project commencement.

Project description

Construct 11.5 mile portion of the southwest trail west of the old river bridge.