Arkansas River Trail

34°54′25.4″N 92°26′47.7″W

Arkansas River Trail
Location of the Arkansas River Trail
Length14 mi (23 km)
LocationPulaski County, Arkansas, USA
TrailheadsLittle Rock, Arkansas
North Little Rock, Arkansas
UseHiking, Cycling, Jogging
Elevation changenegligible
DifficultyEasy
SeasonAll
SightsArkansas River, Pinnacle Mountain, Big Rock, the Little Rock, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, The Medical Mile, the Big Dam Bridge, North Little Rock's Burns Park
Arkansas River Trail
Arkansas River Trail west of Jimerson Creek footbridge; Pinnacle Mountain is in background
Southeast of the Clinton Presidential Center
Rock Island railroad bridge in 2006
Burns Park
Big Dam Bridge

The Arkansas River Trail is a rail trail that runs 17 miles (27 km) in along both sides of the Arkansas River in Central Arkansas.

History

The Arkansas River Trail began with funding from a $1.9 million bond issue from the city of Little Rock in 2003. The trail includes a portion of the Little Rock & Western Railway. The former railbed is still in use by the railroad and operates adjacent to the trail.[1]

Bridges

Junction and Clinton Presidential Park Bridges

Both former railroad bridges have been converted into pedestrian and bicycling bridges. The Junction Bridge opened in May 2008; the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, named after former U.S. president Bill Clinton, opened in October 2011.[2] Both connect the two cities' riverfront parks. The Junction Bridge is accessed via stairs and elevators.

Renovation work on the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge began in May 2010.[3] The railroad bridge, originally constructed in 1899 as the Rock Island Bridge,[4] is the eastern pedestrian and bicycle connection for the River Trail.

Renovation work on the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge cost $10.5 million and was funded by a mix of funds including $4 million from the Clinton Foundation, $2.5 million of federal stimulus money, $2 million from the Commerce Department, $1 million from the city of Little Rock, and $750,000 from the city of North Little Rock.[5]

Big Dam Bridge

At 4,226 feet long, the Big Dam Bridge is the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in North America which was built specifically for that use. It connects Little Rock with North Little Rock.[6]

Baring Cross

Of the three railroad spans in the downtown area one is still in use by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP). UP gave tentative approval to build a small bridge near the Little Rock Amtrak station.

References
  1. "Arkansas River Trail - Arkansas River Trail". Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  2. "UALR Public Radio | FM 89 KUAR - Dedication for Clinton Presidential Park Bridge". Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  3. "Clinton marks start of work on railroad bridge at library". Baxter Bulletin. Vol. 109, no. 138. Mountain Home, Arkansas: Baxter County Newspapers. Associated Press. May 29, 2010. p. 2A. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Tugman, Lindsey (September 30, 2011). "Clinton dedicates pedestrian bridge at library". KTHV-TV. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  5. "AP: Clinton marks start of work on bridge at library | News | William J. Clinton Presidential Center". Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  6. "Big Dam Bridge". Little Rock. Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
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