Arkansas River Trail

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.

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
Elevation changenegligible
Hiking details
Trail 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 west of Jimerson Creek footbridge; Pinnacle Mountain is in background.
Southeast Part of the Arkansas River Trail southeast of the Clinton Presidential Center.
Arkansas River Trail in Burns Park.

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
Rock Island railroad bridge in 2006.

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]

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.

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References
  1. "Arkansas River Trail - Arkansas River Trail".
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2011-11-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. http://www.inarkansas.com/26995/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-mike-beebe-more-at-clinton-presidential-park-dedication
  4. Tugman, Lindsey (September 30, 2011). "Clinton dedicates pedestrian bridge at library". KTHV-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2011-10-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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