A $76,000 contract for design work to make a portion of Markham Street more pedestrian friendly will be up for approval at the next Little Rock Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 23.
The board met Tuesday but only to discuss the plans, not to hold a vote. Vice Mayor Kathy Webb said the “road diet” is supported by residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.
As is, the intersection of Kavanaugh Boulevard and Markham Street leaves pedestrians without much safety. Cars speed by in four lanes on Markham, and sidewalks are scarce. The road diet, which has been a working idea for years, would reduce Markham to three lanes in the area near the intersection — an eastbound and westbound lane with a center turning lane. Sidewalks are expected to line both sides of Markham after the project is completed.
In September, Metroplan announced $1.1 million in construction funding for the project. The contract going before Little Rock directors on Tuesday would be for the final design plans with McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. It would amend a previous contract with the group, bringing the total cost of services to $198,600, according to city documents.
Jon Honeywell, director of public works for the city, said the first phase of the project would affect about three or four blocks west of the Markham / Kavanaugh intersection. The Metroplan money isn’t enough to fund the entire project, Honeywell said, so engineers are also working to find a good stopping point for the construction.