City of Hope named ArDOT grant recipient

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has announced the award recipients for the 2025 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The City of Hope was awarded $440,000 for downtown area sidewalks.

The TAP was reauthorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and provides funding for programs and projects defined as “transportation alternatives” for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. The TAP is a reimbursement-type grant program that provides for an 80% federal share and a 20% local match from eligible applicants.

Under the TAP, eligible projects can include construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities that include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure. Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails is also eligible.

The RTP is funded through a portion of TAP funds set aside specifically for recreational trails. These funds are eligible for maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, and construction of new trails.

For 2025, a total of 60 TAP projects were awarded for approximately $18.9 million and a total of 7 RTP projects were awarded for approximately $1.8 million.

Other area recipients were the City of Nashville $483,000 for Main Street sidewalks, Phase 6 and the City of Ashdown, $156,000 for Ellen Drive sidewalks, Phase 2.