FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The City of Fayetteville Transportation Committee on June 24 recommended that the City Council approve the bid from Grant Garrett Excavating and recognize additional federal-aid funding to complete the Drake Street Trail project.

The recommendation, offered by a committee member and seconded during the meeting, passed unanimously and will go to the full City Council for final approval. Transportation staff requested a committee review and a recommendation to council before the contract is finalized.

Transportation staff said the project will repurpose Drake Street and extend an accessible, fully protected cycle track about 8 to 10 feet wide on the north side of the road, remove the outside travel lane in that segment and provide a shared-use trail and bridge across the creek to connect to Cordonholm Park. "The cross section includes an 8 or 10 foot wide protected fully protected cycle track on the north side of the road that takes away that outside lane," staff said.

Staff also described on-street parking on the south side of Drake Street, intersection bulb-outs where the intersections are large, and new crosswalks. A staff presentation noted "over 2,000 residences within walking distance" of the project, saying the project is primarily intended to serve nearby residents.

On financing, transportation staff said federal-aid funding fills the gap on matching funds and grant elements, allowing the project to be built as designed. The staff presentation named Grant Garrett Excavating as the bidder being recommended for award.

If the council approves the bid, staff estimated the contractor would begin construction about July 15; the construction timeline beyond the anticipated start date was not specified.

The committee’s action was limited to forwarding a recommendation. The next formal step is full City Council consideration and a contract award by council before construction begins.