The Midtown Corridor includes sections of Porter Rd, Deane St, Sycamore St and Poplar St. This corridor is an important east-west connection for vehicle and bus traffic. The corridor is also densely populated with flat terrain making it an optimal route for a new 1.75-mile-long shared use paved trail being called the Midtown Trail.
In addition to the new trail, the project will include new curbs, storm drainage, lighting, street trees and sidewalks with greenspace.
Specific Improvements Planned by Section:
Porter and Deane Intersection
- Street widened from 2 to 3 lanes to include a center turn lane
- Roundabout planned at the Porter Road intersection in front of the Police Headquarters
- Sidewalks on portions of the west side of Porter and the south side of Deane
- A 12-foot wide trail on the east side of Porter and the north side of Deane
- Access the overall site layout
Deane Street
- Street widened from 2 to 3 lanes to include a center turn lane
- Connected Sidewalks on the south side from Porter Road to Lynn’s Place
- A 12-foot wide trail on the north side along the U of A Agricultural Experiment Station
- Enhanced trail crossing at Lynn’s Place, connecting through Tri Cycle Farm to Sycamore St.
Sycamore Street from Garland to the Razorback Greenway
- 12-foot wide shared use paved trail on south side
- Sidewalks on the north side
Poplar Street from Razorback Greenway to College Avenue
- 12-foot wide shared use paved trail the north side from Razorback Greenway to Gregg Ave
- 10-foot wide shared use paved trail on the south side of street from Yates Ave. to Woodland Ave.
Woodland Avenue
- Pavement markings designating a on street bike route that is shared with vehicles (no bike lanes or trail)
- Enhanced crossing of Sycamore St to access Gregory Park
Why is It Important?
Issues on this corridor are varied, and include traffic congestion at I-49, lack of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, drainage issues and congestion issues between Garland Avenue and Leverett Avenue and an over-built section that could be reconfigured to three lanes with better bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
How will it be funded?
Design and construction of the Midtown Trail Corridor will be partially funded with bond monies approved by the votes in April, 2019
What is the Current Status?
Updated 06/01/23
The construction of the Porter and Deane intersection and frontage along the new Police Headquarters is complete.
The design is complete for Deane from the Fire Station to Garland, Sycamore from Garland to the Razorback Greenway and Poplar Street. The City has contracted with Crossland Heavy Contractors to serve as the construction manager for the project. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2023.
When will it be completed?
Updated 06/01/2023
The improvements along Porter Road and Deane along the frontage of the new Police Department Headquarters and Fire Station is complete.
The Deane/Sycamore/Poplar phase will take 15 to 18 months once construction has started.