• News
  • Conway awarded $3 million grant for Salem Rd reconstruction

salem-rd-dave-ward-dr.jpg

The City of Conway has been awarded $3 million from Metroplan for the reconstruction of Salem Rd from Dave Ward Dr to College Ave.

Funding is provided through the Surface Transportation Block Grant and Carbon Reduction Programs, federal-aid transportation programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration. Metroplan awards funding to qualifying projects based on applications from member jurisdictions and a rigorous review process.

While the City of Conway has invested time and resources to make Salem Rd better for motorists and safer for pedestrians and cyclists, more can be done to bring the heavily traveled corridor up to our current standard for a major arterial. Outside of Hwy 65 (Harkrider St), Salem Rd serves as one of the city’s longest routes connecting southern Conway to Interstate 40.

salem-rd-tucker-creek-bridge-kinley-trail2.jpg

Salem Rd improvements:

  • Phase 1 - Replacement of bridge at Tucker Creek & Kinley Trail
  • Phase 2 - Reconstruction from Dave Ward Dr to College Ave

Improvements to the corridor will include:

  • ADA compliant sidewalks & crosswalks
  • upgraded traffic signal at Carl Stuart St
  • storm water drainage infrastructure
  • 3 lane roadway configuration
  • cycle tracks on each side
  • upgraded crosswalks
  • curb and gutter

“The city will see many benefits from this project in terms of improved safety, greater connectivity, better transportation alternatives, and less congestion,” said Mayor Bart Castleberry. “This project will also connect to the Connect Conway Trail and will support the Central Arkansas Regional Greenway as it will serve as a major connector in a densely populated area of Conway.”

salem-rd-carl-stuart-vann.jpg

Awarded Projects - 2024 Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG)

  1. Austin has been awarded funding to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 38 and North Lincoln Street. The signal will improve safety and efficiency for motorists and pedestrians around a school zone and is expected to decrease the number of accidents.
  2. Benton has been awarded funding to construct 1.6 miles of the Regional Greenways, Southwest Trail, corridor from Market/Hazel St. intersection to the Saline River Bridge.
  3. Bryant has been awarded funding to engineer 2 miles of the Regional Greenways, Bryant Southwest Connector Trail, from Hill Farm Rd/Bryant Pwky intersection to Hwy 183/ Sardis Rd intersection. The larger trail will seamlessly connect Bryant residents to the Southwest Trail and help complete 12 miles of planned trails in the city.
  4. Cabot has been awarded funding to construct 1.1 miles of the Northeast corridor of the Regional Greenways. This section will start at the Cabot Freshman Academy and continue to the city of Austin city limits.
  5. Cabot has been awarded funding to engineer 2 miles of the Regional Greenways, Northeast corridor, from Lincoln/Pine St intersection to Kerr Station Park.
  6. Conway has been awarded funding to continue with the Salem Rd. improvement project between Dave Ward Dr. and College Ave. The project will accommodate current and future traffic, add curbs and gutters, and upgrade pedestrian/bicycle facilities.
  7. Greenbrier has been awarded funding to engineer a pedestrian overpass on Highway 65 connecting Greenbrier Junior High to Matthews Park. The overpass is integral to Greenbrier’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master plan.
  8. Little Rock has been awarded funding to redesign Broadway Street from 17th Street to Roosevelt Road. This corridor will undergo a “road diet” that reconfigures the road from four to two lanes and adds a center turn lane; increasing safety for pedestrians and bike riders as well as drivers.
  9. Little Rock has been awarded funding to reconstruct Markham Street from Cedar Street to Pearl Ave. The corridor will undergo a “road diet” that reconfigures the road from four to two lanes and adds a center turn lane to increase safety for pedestrians and bike riders as well as drivers. The intersection at Markham and Kavanaugh will be reconstructed to improve safety for the foot traffic generated by local businesses.
  10. Maumelle has been awarded funding to construct 1 mile of the Regional Greenways, Northwest trail, corridor along Club Manor Road from Millwood Circle to Odom Boulevard. This project will be a part of connecting the Regional Greenways and will aid in generating a safer transportation mode.
  11. North Little Rock has been awarded funding to construct 4,200 feet of a Crystal Hill Road extension with an adjacent side path and other bike-pedestrian accommodations between Maumelle Blvd/Corporate Dr intersection to the city’s boundary with Maumelle. This project will provide more connectivity and safety, while serving as an alternate to the often congested Maumelle Blvd.
  12. Sherwood has been awarded funding to engineer .9 miles of the Regional Greenways, Northeast corridor, from Gap Creek Drive to Oneida Street. This project will aid in the wider connection of the Regional Greenways and provide alternate transportation to pedestrians and cyclists.
  13. Wrightsville has been awarded funding to engineer concept plans that will improve safety and efficiency on 145th Street. This design will explore a roundabout for the intersection at 145th St. and Hwy 365, as well as benefits to adding curbs and gutters, sidewalks and drainage improvements for the corridor.
  14. Pulaski County has been awarded funding to construct a portion of the Regional Greenways, Southwest Trail, corridor from Pulaski/Saline County line to Central High School. This project will be a part of connecting the Regional Greenways and will provide alternative transportation for pedestrians and cyclists in Pulaski, Saline, and Garland Counties.
  15. Saline County has been awarded funding to construct 2.5 miles of the Regional Greenways, Southwest Trail corridor, from Pulaski/Saline County line to Germania Road.

2024-metroplan-surface-transportation-block-grant-program.jpg

About Metroplan

Metroplan is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for the four-county region of Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski, and Saline counties. It is a voluntary association of local governments that has operated since 1955. For more information, see www.metroplan.org.

About Surface Transportation Block Grant Program

The Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) provides flexible funding that may be used by States and localities for projects to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge and tunnel projects on any public road, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects, including intercity bus terminals.