Commissioners Approves Updated Hike-Bike Trail Agreement

At its June 3, 2025, meeting, the Arkansas City Commission approved an updated funding agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for Phase 2 of the Hike-Bike Trail Extension project. 

Construction is set to begin in mid-June. The new section of the trail will run from Paris Park Pool to West Lincoln Avenue and continue to the Cowley Sports Complex. 

The revised agreement will save the City more than $341,000. Under the original 2021 deal, federal funding was capped, and the City had to pay any extra costs beyond that cap, plus a 20% match. The updated agreement removes the cap—KDOT will now cover 80% of all construction and construction engineering costs, with no maximum. The City will still pay its 20% share, along with early planning and utility costs. 

The project’s lowest bid came from Prado Construction LLC, at $1,476,822. 

• Under the old agreement, the City would have paid about $636,731. 

• With the new agreement, the City will pay only around $295,364. 

City officials reviewed the agreement and found no legal or financial issues. Due to a tight KDOT deadline, the mayor signed the agreement early. The Commission’s June 3 vote officially approved that action.