Garver completed an Environmental Assessment and is currently providing design services to support a nearly 60-mile-long recreational trail from Hot Springs to Little Rock, Arkansas, that is dedicated for pedestrians and cyclists. The Southwest Trail will provide a safe route for pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy outdoor recreation while simultaneously providing an economic stimulus to Central Arkansas. The first 4.5-mile segment opened in early 2025, and two other segments totaling over 5-miles will be under construction this spring. Much of these segments are in former rail rights-of-way owned by local jurisdictions and include significant sections passing through wetlands or floodplain encumbered areas, necessitating the use of box culvert and prefabricated trail bridge crossings in several locations. Design of almost 20 more miles of the trail are currently underway.
Garver provided environmental assessment, NEPA documentation, pedestrian bridge design, surveying, trail masterplan, wetland delineation, and alternatives development, engineering studies, investigations, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, preparation of project definition and programming documents, charrettes, public involvement, construction cost estimates, environmental assessments, topographic surveys, and right-of-way related surveys. As construction funds are obtained for each segment of the 60-mile trail, Garver is also providing construction design services, including trail design, bridge design, regulatory permitting, hydraulic and hydrology services, jurisdictional coordination, and railroad permitting coordination.
A key part of Garver’s on-going service to local jurisdictions has been assistance with seeking funding to design and build the trail. Since 2018, Garver has written or assisted on 13 successful grants totaling over $15 million in funding for both trail design and construction. Grant sources have included the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Recreational Trails Program (RTP), and Economic Development Agency (EDA) Competitive Tourism Grant.
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