Conway, Arkansas – The City of Conway is preparing to gather community input on the next phase of its growing transportation and recreation network, announcing a public hearing for the Connect Conway initiative that will take place on December 4. The hearing, held in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will give residents an opportunity to learn more about two major project components designed to expand trail access and improve safety for people walking and biking throughout the city.
Connect Conway is a long-term effort aimed at linking neighborhoods, parks, business areas, and schools through a more connected system of trails and pedestrian routes. The two projects now moving forward represent significant investments on both sides of Interstate 40. The first focuses on the eastern side of the interstate and includes a proposal to build 4.2 miles of new off-street trails. These trails would give residents more places to walk, jog, or cycle away from traffic, while also creating safer and more continuous recreational routes.
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The second project shifts attention to the western side of Interstate 40, where the city plans to construct and upgrade 6.3 miles of bike and pedestrian facilities. Improvements could include widening existing paths, adding new sidewalks, or enhancing crossings to help people move more easily between neighborhoods and key destinations. Together, these projects are expected to strengthen overall connectivity across Conway while supporting efforts to make streets safer for non-drivers. City officials say the upgrades will also benefit visitors who use Conway’s trail system for recreation or travel.
To ensure residents have direct access to information and an opportunity to share their thoughts, the city will host an in-person open-house-style public hearing on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Conway City Hall, 1111 Main Street. The event will not include formal presentations. Instead, attendees can drop in whenever they choose during the posted hours to review project displays, ask questions to staff, and offer feedback.
City planners and project partners say community input will help guide final design decisions and ensure the Connect Conway initiative reflects the needs and priorities of the people who use these routes every day. As the city looks ahead to future growth, the hearing provides a chance for residents to help shape the trail and transportation network that will serve Conway for years to come.
