The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) will hold a public meeting at the Sam's Club Community Room at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. They want to update their Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
The meeting is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This is the second meeting this week. The first one was held in Little Rock.
AHTD is working with the Department of Parks and Tourism, the Department of Health and State Police to update the plan, which was originally created in 1998.
It’s a project that started in the fall of 2013 and by winter of 20-15, this updated plan should be complete.
The focus of this meeting will be Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith area biking and walking issues. This plan will address current state policies as well as the development of roads, trails, sidewalks that serve pedestrians and bicyclists.
There will be a presentation and time for feedback. There will be maps available for you to show them where you are trying to go on foot, in a wheelchair or on a bike.
The League of American Bicyclists had previously ranked Arkansas in last place for bicycle friendliness. But last year the state moved up 13 spots to number 37.
Danny Straessle, assistant public information officer, said AHTD is working hard to continue improving this in the state.
To get involved in the conversation, you can take an online survey or join their mailing list. There will be other meetings in the state. However, those dates haven’t been set.
