LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock roads are set to see some safety improvements after receiving $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
With help from the Little Rock Safe Streets for All project, city officials are looking to implement new safety measures, like bicycle lanes and roundabouts.
The city’s local road safety plan noted pedestrians accounted for 31% of roadway deaths in Little Rock, a statistic this plan aims to address.
Officials said Metroplan worked with the city to develop this plan. Metroplan Executive Director Casey Covington said there are specific spots that the plan is looking to address.
“Particularly places where individuals were unfortunately either being killed or being seriously injured due to accidents with motor vehicles,” Covington said.
City officials said the plan aims to improve safety in areas like University Avenue and John Barrow Road.
John Barrow Road (Carti Way to 36th Street)
Woodrow Street & 12th Street Intersection
University Avenue (Markham Street to Interstate 630)
University Avenue (Berkshire Drive to Asher Avenue)
University Avenue (Colonel Glenn Road/Asher Avenue to Forbing Road)
Chicot Road (Azalea Drive to Mabelvale Cut-Off)
Geyer Springs Road (Forbing Road to Baseline Road)
Little Rock resident Jerome Butler said crossing the street at Woodrow and 12th can be dangerous.
“Nine times out of ten you will get hit if you’re not paying attention,” Butler said.
USDOT officials said that more than $2 million will be granted for seven other safety planning and demonstration projects around Arkansas.