Arkansas city prioritizing 14-mile interconnected pedestrian infrastructure with $25 million investment

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The city of Fort Smith, Arkansas, will spend $25 million to build a massive, paved loop connecting pedestrian facilities, amenities and key recreational city areas. Construction on the Bass Reeves Legacy Loop Greenway Initiative is anticipated to start in September 2028.

The project will create an interconnected 14-mile loop, consisting of paved shared-use paths and other associated pedestrian facilities throughout the city. The loop will be built near neighborhoods and residential areas, ensuring that more than 20% of Fort Smith residents will live within a half mile of the pathway.

The city’s ultimate goal through completing the project is to improve accessibility to essential amenities and cultural centers, including landmarks, greenspaces, parks and neighborhoods. It will also connect with existing riverfront trail systems. Plans include creating an additional 9.3 miles of active transportation facilities.

To support the expanded trail system, the project will install five rectangular rapid flashing beacons, two high intensity activated crosswalks and seven modified traffic signals. In addition, the city will build 3,300-feet of segmental block retaining walls, 17 railroad track crossings, a bridge underpass, a tunnel underpass and three active transportation bridges.

Safety is a cornerstone of the project, prioritizing better mobility for non-motorized travelers that take them out of the way of nearby traffic. The loop’s extensive share-use pathway network will help reduce the number of vehicle-pedestrian collisions in coming years, ensuring that bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers and other travelers can navigate the city safely.

Photo courtesy National Trails Office (US National Park Service), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons