CONNECT CONWAY

The City of Conway was awarded a $24.6 million federal grant in 2022 that will transform public transportation in the city by connecting several major landmarks and places of interest, including schools, companies, retail areas, and neighborhoods through the Connect Conway greenway trail.

Connect Conway will connect 10 parks, seven schools, three major retail areas, three universities, 14 major employment centers, 16 neighborhoods and other vital community services. It aims to build a safe, equitable, and accessible transportation system through investment in 15 miles of bike and pedestrian infrastructure, providing a viable transportation option for many.

“I’d like to thank our team at the City Hall who put in the work to get the job done successfully,” said Mayor Bart Castleberry. “A number of community stakeholders came together to work on a short timeframe on this historic endeavor. I’d especially like to thank Finley Vinson, Felicia Rogers, Robbie Alberson, Aaron Knight, James Walden, and Kurt Jones.”

Most of Conway’s existing bike and pedestrian infrastructure is in the city’s western portion. Connect Conway will create a crucial link between the eastern parts of Conway and west Conway, providing more equitable access to services and opportunities.

“The name of the project rings true to what the project is all about: connecting Conway,” said former Planning & Development Director James Walden. “This will be a tremendous recreational asset. But it provides a real transportation option for those who can’t or choose not to drive.”

Full economic and community participation is nearly impossible for those without access to a personal automobile. The construction of Connect Conway will provide a tangible and significant benefit to those community residents and stakeholders by increasing personal mobility with a safe, accessible transportation alternative.

“This grant will enable us to take a huge step to provide a viable alternative for the people of Conway to vehicular transportation through inter-connectivity between parks, schools, neighborhoods, and commercial centers,” said City Engineer Kurt Jones. “We’ve taken small steps in the past. This is a giant leap.”

The grant was awarded to the city by the United States Department of Transportation to construct the 15-mile greenway trail. The money comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grant program.

Connect Conway’s work began four years ago and has evolved and been refined over the past several years. Grant applications were developed as early as 2018 and submitted in previous application rounds.

A project advisory committee was formed for this application to guide the process and provide valuable input. The committee consisted of members from the University of Central Arkansas, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Conway Development Corporation, Hendrix College, Conway Corp, Community Action Program for Central Arkansas, Conway Public Schools, Conway’s Bicycle and Pedestrian

Advisory Board, Central Baptist College, and Community at Large members. City Council member Shelley Mehl helped lead the committee along with city staff.

After the public engagement process, engineering work began, and programming was identified and compiled. Crafton Tull, an engineering and planning firm, provided technical assistance, preliminary engineering, and environmental information that aided the grant application.

The development and writing of the application were led by the city’s Grant Administrator Robbie Alberson, former Director of Planning and Development James Walden, Chief Information Officer Aaron Knight, Transportation Director and City Engineer Kurt Jones, and Long-Range Planner Kyle Kelly. This team met weekly for nearly 11 months, developing a competitive application that met the US Department of Transportation’s requirements for the RAISE program. Letters of support were also garnered from valuable partners and leaders in the community, including Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton and Congressman French Hill.

“Over the past four years my office has worked with city of Conway to fine tune its grant application and I’m delighted that hard work has persevered, and now the Connect Conway vision is one step closer to reality,” Hill said.

“For years, the city of Conway has worked towards this goal—and thanks to the dedication of local leaders, Connect Conway can now move forward,” Cotton said. “Conway is already a flourishing center for education and culture in our state, but this comprehensive new project will make the city an even more attractive place for Arkansans to learn, visit, and raise their families.”

RAISE Grant funds will be available for obligation through September 30, 2026. Projects funds must be expended by September 30, 2031.

Located is perfect place for

No matter what brings you to Conway, Arkansas, you’re bound to discover something else that makes you want to stay. With three colleges, the city of 66,000 is not your ordinary small town. Conway is a growing city – rooted in education – with a thriving downtown, a flourishing arts scene, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Its visible sense of community will make you feel right at home. Its hidden gems will leave you wanting to explore.

Conway. Full of possibilities.