SPRINGDALE -- Regional planners began selecting 2015 transportation projects Thursday that will be paid for with federal highway money.
Cities and counties submitted 11 projects adding up to about $7 million. Money must be obligated by October. Projects will be reviewed and scored Sept. 12.
At A Glance
A Piece Of The Action
The Northwest Arkansas metro area became eligible July 18, 2012, for a share of federal Surface Transportation Program money after the urban population surpassed 200,000. The money is administered by the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, serving as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is made of representatives from Benton and Washington counties and each city in the counties. The region has received about $6.5 million annually from the program.
Source: Staff Report
"We're making the assumption the funding will be similar to the last two years, about $6.5 million," said Tim Conklin with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission. "We're trying to get ahead of the curve on obligating 2015 STP-A funds."
Conklin said the exact amount is uncertain because the most recent continuing resolution to keep the federal highway bill alive doesn't say.
The region gets the federal Surface Transportation Program money to spend on regionally significant projects.
Bentonville is asking for the biggest chunk, $3 million, to complete improvements to Eighth Street. The money is to pay for right of way, moving utilities and construction on the stalled and over-budget project. The improvements are between Interstate 49 and Walton Boulevard.
"We understand we may not get the whole $3 million," said Mike Churchwell, transportation engineer. "But we have a project that can use every bit of it."
Ozark Regional Transit and University of Arkansas Razorback Transit are requesting $696,000 to buy vehicles.
Joel Gardner of Ozark Regional said both systems have a number of vehicles that have passed their service life. The transit services want to start replacing a portion of their fleet each year, he said.
"Our goal is two buses a year," said Adam Waddell, associate director at Razorback Transit. "We're asking for that so we can expand in the future."
Rogers is requesting money for three projects. The city wants $40,000 to study intersections along U.S. 62 with Arkansas 94 and Arkansas 12. The other projects involve adding railroad gates and safety improvements at two railroad crossings, one on Dixieland Road and the other at Easy Street. The city is asking for $420,000 for the Dixieland crossing and $700,000 for the Easy Street crossing.
Fayetteville is asking for $320,000 to do design work and an environmental study to extend Sain Street on the north side of town to connect with Joyce Boulevard. The project would relieve congestion at the Joyce Boulevard and College Avenue intersection.
Fayetteville also wants $320,000 for right of way and moving utilities in anticipation of extending Rupple Road to Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Farmington is seeking $520,000 for design work and an environmental study for improvements to a portion of South Hunt Street. The area, where a new high school is being built, has seen a number of large subdivisions developed in recent years along with a regional park. The road, from Main Street south to Clyde Carnes Road, is narrow, has no shoulders or sidewalks and has several 90 degree turns.
Bella Vista is asking for $256,000 for design work and an environmental study for a bridge and improvement to Mercy Way. The project is expected to make the road four lanes and improve intersections. The road is often congested because of an elementary school and a clinic in the area.
Benton County wants money to repair or replace two aging bridges. The county is asking for $240,000 to repair War Eagle Bridge. The bridge at War Eagle Mill was built in 1907.
The county is also asking for $332,000 for design and environmental work on the Osage Creek Bridge on Old Arkansas 68. The bridge was built in 1935 and is slated for replacement because it's structurally unsound.
Regional planning is requesting $200,000 for planning work related to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Transportation Study, which produces the region's long range transportation plan.
A local match is required on each project to get federal money.
NW News on 08/22/2014