Latest news with #ARDOT
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Springdale applies for ARDOT grants to build, upgrade trail
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The city of Springdale is applying for two grants from the Arkansas Department of Transportation to build and repair two trails. The city is seeking an approximately $229,600 grant from ARDOT's Transportation Alternatives Program for the Pride of Springdale Trail, Tristan Hill, the city's active transportation coordinator, said. In a memo to Mayor Doug Sprouse and the city council April 9, the city estimates upgrades to Thunder Chicken Trailhead will cost a total of $146,000 — $116,800 of which will come courtesy of ARDOT's Recreational Trails Program grant. 'We're always looking for opportunities to expand the trail network in Springdale,' Hill said. 'The recreational benefits, we don't have to explain to anybody. Those are well-known at this point. The economic benefits, having a trail adjacent to your property can increase your property value. The tourism and economic benefits, the amount of people it brings in, it brings sales tax revenue to the city.' NWA city set to pave 11 miles of road across next 2 years If awarded the grant, the city will build a bikeable trail alongside Har-Ber Avenue from 48th Street to Gene George Boulevard as part of the Pride of Springdale Trail. The city's still determining whether there will either be a two-way bicycle path on one side of Har-Ber Avenue, or two separate bike paths that go with the flow of traffic, Hill said. The Pride of Springdale Trail will serve as an extension of the bike path on the Emma Avenue overpass that is being constructed over Interstate 49. Hill said the goal is for the Pride of Springdale to eventually connect Springdale High School to Har-Ber High School. 'That's going to be one of our major East-to-West routes in the long term once it's all said and done,' Hill said. 'I-49 has been a pretty major barrier to some of the East-West connections in Springdale. And so, just trying to figure out ways to tie the neighborhoods surrounding back into that overpass so you can safely cross the interstate.' Thunder Chicken Trail will be getting more cosmetic upgrades to create a more 'family-friendly, beginner-oriented' mountain bike park, Hill said. Hill said some wooden features along Thunder Chicken Trail have been degraded over time, and a portion of the trail needs to be reconnected after a project done by Springdale Water Utilities at the nearby sewer treatment plant. There is also set to be rock replacement, installation of culverts and placement of topsoil, seed and straw, according to the memo sent to the mayor and city council. 2 U of A students have visas reinstated after DHS termination Jeff Peak is an avid cyclist from Northwest Arkansas, saying he's biked more than 2,000 miles this year. He said Springdale does a good job of maintaining its trails and is excited for the future upgrades on the horizon. 'I have faith in Springdale because they've done such a beautiful job so far,' Peak said. 'Any expansions that they do or any added value to this bike system through here would be greatly appreciated.' Hill said the grant application for the Pride of Springdale was filed Friday, while still needing to fill out the Thunder Chicken Trail application. The deadline to file for the application is Wednesday. Hill estimates, if awarded the grants, the projects will be completed by summer 2026. Peak said one upgrade he'd like to see along the trails could be more designated rest areas with restrooms and water fountains. Hill said if you have a suggestion for upgrades you'd like to see or where a new trailhead could be, he encourages you to reach out to the city or to your elected officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ARDOT gears up for National Work Zone Awareness Week
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will host its National Work Zone Awareness Week kick-off event on Monday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at the Little Rock Air Force Base. According to a press release, the Arkansas Legislature recently passed three pieces of legislation in response to the rising numbers in traffic crashes in work zone-related areas. Listed below are the three pieces of legislation: ACT 117 — Requires driver's instruction manual and driver's license examination to include information about the safe operation of a motor vehicle in a highway work zone. ACT 209 — Authorizes the use of green lights by roadway construction or maintenance vehicles. Amends the special restrictions on lamp colors and colors that may be used by emergency vehicles ACT 327 — Amends the law concerning moving traffic violations in a highway work zone to create mobile work zones and assess a fine for a moving traffic violation in a mobile work zone. ARDOT names new director 'This legislation is about improving safety for road workers and the traveling public,' ARDOT director Jared D. Wiley said. 'When you encounter a work zone, please slow down, be alert, and obey traffic laws. We owe this to the men and women working to improve our roads.' Founded by the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Federal Highway Administration, the National Work Zones Awareness Week campaign is observed every spring, marking the beginning of construction season. 'We see far too many close calls and tragedies in work zones,' Arkansas State Highway Commission chairman Phillip Taldo said. 'These changes give us the tools to better protect everyone on the road.' The release says National Work Zone Awareness Week will take place April 21-25 to encourage safe driving through work zones across the country. For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Transportation's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews working to restore power to Little Rock residents after recent severe weather
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The hum of a portable generator is becoming a sound too familiar for some people in a Little Rock neighborhood after severe weather hit the state. The severe weather over recent days caused power outages for thousands in Arkansas. National Weather Service confirms EF-2 tornado touched down in Pocahontas Mary Waters lives in Hillcrest. She said she gets a feeling of anxiety when she walks outside and sees fallen trees and twisted power lines. 'It's really scary. I haven't ventured far from our front yard at all,' Waters said. 'Because you know, you don't want to step on something, and then all of a sudden, you're not here anymore.' On Monday, Entergy crews worked to restore power. For the people in Hillcrest this comes three days after their power first went out. ARDOT reports that around 70 highways still closed in Arkansas due to high water While Waters waits for her roads to be cleared, she's just glad she was prepared for the weather Arkansas threw her way. 'We finally decided, a few years ago, 'This is crazy, we need a generator,'' Waters said. 'And so, we made that a priority, and I'm glad we did.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Construction to cause weekend closures on Interstate 57 in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – Construction on Highway 67/167 (Interstate 57) in Jacksonville will cause full weekend closures. Officials with the Arkansas Department of Transportation said crews will be working to widen the highway to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard. New device on North Little Rock traffic lights helps support city traffic network Construction will require full highway closures from 8 p.m. Friday, March 7 through Saturday, March 8 between Main Street and North James Street. Crews will close the northbound lanes on Highway 67/167 between Main Street and North James Street for drainage improvements. Traffic will detour to Main Street (Exit 9), continue onto frontage road and use the North James Street on-ramp to Highway 67/167 northbound. Corn spilled on I-40 in North Little Rock due to semi-truck incident ARDOT officials said traffic will be directed with message boards, construction barrels, barricades and signs. Drivers are advised to be cautious in work zones. This project is a part of the ARDOT Connecting Arkansas Program. For more information, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ARDOT says state electirc vehicle infrasturcture plan has been suspended
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Department of Transportation closed the current request for proposals for the Arkansas Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Program after it was suspended. According to a press release from ARDOT, the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration sent a letter on Feb. 6 notifying state departments of transportation that the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Guidance has been rescinded and all state EVID plans have been suspended. The release says the FHWA is updating the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to align with the current U.S. DOT policy and priorities. These updates include those set up by the U.S. DOT. According to the release, the FHWA wants to have an updated NEVI Formula Guidance draft published for public comment in spring 2025. Following public comment, the FHWA will publish an updated final NEVI Formula Guidance that responds to the comments received. According to the release, the NEVI Formula Program Guidance rescission and the State EVID Plans require ARDOT to close the current RFP. The release says no new federal funding obligations will occur under the NEVI Formula Program. The 19 awarded projects from 2024 will not be able to move forward with their agreements because of the rescissions. ARDOT says it will re-evaluate the NEVI program once the updated NEVI Formula Program Guidance is published by FHWA. Arkansas was among the first group of 35 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with approved EVID plans. The plan was approved by former President Joe Biden's administration in 2022 and was funded by his Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The states had access to more than $900 million in NEVI formula funding from fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023 to help build electric vehicle chargers across around 53,000 miles of highway across the country. President Donald Trump has slammed federal funding for electric vehicle chargers as 'an incredible waste of taxpayer dollars.' The administration may need an act of Congress to stop the EV program's spending, and it's unclear if there will be one. Industry leaders say customer demand will continue to drive growth in the charging network, regardless of federal funding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
