Garver to lead design for Southwest Trail project

Soon, recreation enthusiasts in central Arkansas will have a new and unique outlet for biking, jogging, and walking across three counties. Garver is providing preliminary design services for the Southwest Trail project, an approximately 60-mile multi-use trail that stretches between Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas. 

The trail project, which crosses through Pulaski, Garland, and Saline counties includes one of the state’s oldest bridges, and was announced by Pulaski County and Garver officials during a press conference earlier this week in Little Rock.

“Garver is committed to providing our communities with unique and exciting recreational opportunities,” said Wallace Smith, Garver Director of Federal Services. “This new trail will provide all within central Arkansas an accessible, and top-of-the-line trail with access to some of the state’s most recognizable landmarks.”

When complete, the Southwest Trail will be one of the state’s premier recreational trails, connecting Hot Springs National Park and Little Rock Central High School. While passing through the three counties, travelers will be greeted by trailhead identifications, mile markers and maps to chart progress, and information kiosks. As part of preliminary design, Garver will route the trail’s course, which will include the Old River Bridge, which opened in 1891 to provide a crossing over the Saline River. Garver is also conducting an environmental assessment as the first step of the project.

The Southwest Trail is the latest in a long line of similar projects that showcases Garver’s long-running expertise in trail design. The company provided design and other services for an extension of the Frisco Trail in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as well as the Two Rivers and Big Dam bridges that are part of the Arkansas River Trail in Little Rock and North Little Rock.

To learn more about what Garver’s Federal Team can do for you, visit our Federal Services page.