Jonesboro officials announced that the lowest bid to construct a shared‑use path over the Marion Berry Parkway overpass was $2,383,947.24. While the bid is the cheapest of four offers opened on Oct. 21, it remains roughly $258,000 higher than the $1.96 million figure city engineering director Craig Light said could be achieved with optional deductions.
Bid details and optional savings
White River Material submitted the low bid. The company offered to reduce the price by $338,354.56 if the city eliminates the color‑changing linear lighting fixtures and some associated wiring and conduit. A separate paving option would save an additional $87,220.21. If both options are taken, the bid would drop to $1,958,372.47.
Project scope
The project will add a protected walking and biking route from Washington Avenue to Aggie Road, giving pedestrians and cyclists a safe crossing over the bridges that connect downtown Jonesboro with Arkansas State University. The bid also includes lane changes, drainage work, bridge repairs and lighting installation.
How the design evolved
Mayor Harold Copenhaver originally described a well‑lit path in 2024. In a September 2025 proposal, project engineer Pickering Firm noted that Arkansas State University requested two lighting circuits for accent lighting along the bridge barriers, including illumination of university logos. The redesign also replaced a continuous concrete barrier with bridge‑specific barriers and a grass buffer elsewhere, and added stairs at the university’s request. The city council approved these design changes on Oct. 9, 2025.
White River priced the decorative fixtures, control cabinet and logo plaques at about $827,000. The records reviewed do not clarify how much of the cost increase from the 2024 estimate is directly tied to the university’s lighting request.
Funding and award status
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has allocated a $500,000 federal grant for the project, and Jonesboro approved an additional $100,000 in August for construction administration and inspection. The city’s solicitation calls for a notice of award within 60 days of the bid opening, a deadline that falls around Dec. 20. As of the latest public records review, no award has been recorded.
What this means for residents
Even with the optional deductions, the project’s cost exceeds the most recent estimate discussed by city officials. Nonetheless, the path promises a safer, more attractive route for walkers and cyclists traveling between downtown and the university campus, supporting active‑transport goals and enhancing the city’s infrastructure.
City leaders say the project remains a priority, and they will continue to evaluate cost‑saving measures while ensuring the design meets community and university needs.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
