PRAIRIE GROVE -- Next school year, students living on the south side of U.S. Highway 62B in Prairie Grove will be able to cross a large grassy field by sidewalk to reach their school campuses.
Public works employees with the city are installing 2,200 linear feet of sidewalk (or .42 mile) across a grassy field from Bush Street to U.S. 62 B. The school district bought this 61-acre tract last year. It is located across from Prairie Grove High School.
The new sidewalk will allow students who live in Pine Meadows and Willow Creek subdivisions to walk safely to school.
"This will give pedestrian access to the school," said Larry Oelrich, the city's director of administrative services and public works. "This will be a direct route to school. We're all about encouraging people to walk."
Oelrich said the school has signed an agreement to allow the city to build the sidewalk on school property. For now, the school does not have any plans for the land.
If the sidewalk gets in the way of future development, the city and school would then find a place to relocate the sidewalk.
The sidewalk project will include two foot bridges to cross creek areas. In addition, the city will have to receive approval from the Arkansas Transportation Department for the sections of sidewalk that will be in highway right-of-way.
General News on 04/26/2017