By Destiny Washington
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Fayetteville voters passed a $73 million bond program to make transportation easier and safer for everyone.
This money will go towards the Transportation Improvement Project. The project has been prioritized by public input during the Fayetteville Mobility Plan. It includes improvements to stop lights, trails, crosswalks and intersections.
“We have paid the sales tax down to the point that we can now finance without raising taxes, another round of funding for the City’s infrastructure projects to meet our growth. The last time the people authorized the Sales and Use Tax Revenue was in 2006, for $110 million. Today, for the same penny tax, we will get approximately $226 million worth of projects,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan
Along with adding eight new trails, a few of the projects left over from the 2006 bond issue will finally be completed.
As the pedestrian and cycling community continue to grow the city is working to improve the trail and biking system.
Paxton Roberts, Executive Director of Bike NWA explains that this bond program is a fantastic way to make a big impact in a short amount time. “We really see the trails impacting the quality of life for residents here, it helps people become healthier and more active,” said Roberts.
With the new trail improvements, Roberts hopes to bike safely with his daughter to and from school.
Funds for the bond program will become available in the fall.