Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 6, 2024 – The City of Jonesboro received a $500,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) that will retrofit the Marion Berry Parkway overpass with more pedestrian and cyclist accommodations.
A new 10-foot multi-use path will be built and have a protective partition to separate it from the road. Final designs and specifics of the path are still being finalized, although city officials estimate construction to begin in 2025.
“When complete, pedestrians will have access to a protected, well-lit pathway between the campus of Arkansas State University and downtown Jonesboro,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “This investment is vital to our local economic and cultural hub of Jonesboro. We are excited to be partners with ARDOT and Arkansas State University as we benefit our community and improve it together.”
Jonesboro was awarded the grant maximum of $500,000, although total project costs are around $1.5 million. The city will match $1,006,227, and there will be a $5,000 ARDOT administrative fee. This brings total project costs to $1,511,227.
The City applied for the grant in May.
Copenhaver announced the award during the mayor’s reports of Thursday’s city council meeting. The meeting was moved from its usual time of Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to Thursday due to the runoff election.
