LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Big changes are coming to West Markham Street in Little Rock.
Right now you may notice how the four-lane road feels narrow at times and there are little to no sidewalks in the area— but that will all change soon.
"We just think it's a great project for that part of Little Rock. It's much needed," said Jon Honeywell, the Little Rock Public Works Director.
Soon, the stretch of Markham from Pearl Street to Cedar will look very different, and it's all part of the Markham Street "road diet."
"The section of Markham that we're working with basically starts on the east end at the Kavanaugh intersection, and then it'll extend back to the west towards the UAMS campus," Honeywell explained.
Honeywell said the plan is to narrow the four-lane road to three lanes, with one of them being a center turning lane.
He also said crews will build sidewalks to improve pedestrian access. This change is something people in the area are excited about.
"It gives them the opportunity to get to the retail, restaurants, and some of that stuff on the east end of Markham in that area," he said.
Also included in the road diet is the unique intersection of Kavanaugh and Markham.
"We're reducing some of your decision-making that you have to do there. Let's say westbound on Markham and you're in the outside lane, that lane can only continue right and go up Kavanaugh. There's not the option to go straight ahead. So it's reducing some of those conflict points," he added.
It's all in hopes of making things safer for everyone.
"It'll be different for people when we get it done, but I think in the long run, it's gonna be a much better functioning intersection," he said.
Bob Keltner with the Hillcrest Resident's Association said that he looks forward to the change as someone who lives in the area. However, the impact goes beyond just neighbors.
"I think it benefits the drivers too. If you've ever driven in that part of Markham, it's just crowded. Those four lanes just feel uncomfortable to drive on. And I think this will just feel better, more natural, and safer," Keltner said.
"We're looking forward to having a good project," Honeywell added.
As for the timeline, Honeywell said construction on the first phase should start in late 2024.