Nearly four years in the making, the Connect Conway project is entering the beginning stages of its construction.
The project, which will be a 15-mile trail connecting east and west Conway, received $24.6 million from the United States Department of Transportation in 2022.
Connect Conway will connect residential, commercial and educational parts of Conway.
“We’re still in the design phase of it,” Bobby Kelly, Conway communication coordinator, said. “We just wrapped up the environmental review – all of the clearances and whatnot that have to happen at the federal level.”
Kelly said the city is working with Garver and Crafton Tull to acquire the right of way acquisition, which Kelly said will likely happen during the summer.
“At this point, no contractors have been selected because no bids have gone out,” Kelly said.”We don’t even know if it’s going to be one contractor. It might be two, might be three or might be four. Who knows how it’ll end up shaking out.”
Kelly said it’s difficult to say when exactly construction will begin.
“Some people are like, ‘What segments are going to start first?’ – I don’t know. It’s still being designed,” Kelly said. “A lot of back end stuff’s still going, but hopefully this fall the contractor will be selected, then we will probably have some sort of ceremonial groundbreaking.”
The entirety of 2027 will be dedicated to construction, along with much of 2028 as well, Kelly said.
“The good news is that parts of it have already been completed,” Kelly said. “There are two existing trails that this thing is going to connect to.”
The trails are Kinley or Tucker Creek Trail and Stone Dam trail.
Kinley trail has seen its own re-construction and additions in the past couple of years.
The Tucker Creek Bridge on Salem Road created an underpass for trail pedestrians to avoid crossing Salem.
“In fact, that factored into us being awarded that grant,” Kelly said. “Projects like that connect to Salem Bridge and that underpass is beautiful because it eliminates a pretty significant crossing.”
Kelly said the underpass project at College Avenue will also connect to Connect Conway and its trail system.
In terms of elements of the trail, Kelly said the system will be well-lit throughout.
In terms of biking and pedestrian travel, it will create 20 miles of trail in Conway.
Kelly said he hopes people will begin to use the trail as a primary method of travel.
“Opinions will begin to shift over time,” Kelly said. “If the opportunity is there then people will use it and it’s a safe alternative.”
Kelly said the trail is also a good opportunity for UCA students.
On the trail system, commuter students will be able to walk or bike to class and on-campus students can do the same to other parts of Conway – reducing parking/traffic issues.
Overall, Kelly said Connect Conway is part of the larger mission of making Conway more walkable and safer for all residents.
