Challenge
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the Razorback Greenway trail is known for connecting cities across Northwest Arkansas through its 36-mile trail system. When PermaTrak had the opportunity to contribute two new boardwalk sections, we knew we had big shoes to fill.
This project came with its share of unique challenges. Our team was tasked with creating a safe, elevated path that needed to cross active roadways, a creek, and steep slopes.
To accommodate all users, the additions required two distinct structures: a multi-use path for families, walkers, and recreational cyclists, and a narrower track for mountain bikers. Creating separate boardwalks improved safety but added complexity to the build.
Solution
A hybrid design was the key to making this project work—blending PermaTrak’s system with cast-in-place concrete for sections spanning over roadways and requiring longer distances between supports. Through close collaboration with Crawford Murphy & Tilly, we developed a design tailored to the project’s specific needs.
Custom beam spans—25 feet and 37.5 feet—helped minimize the number of required foundations, reducing the project’s footprint, reducing foundation costs, and streamlining construction. This approach also made it easier to navigate the area’s steep terrain, allowing for a smoother, less disruptive installation process.
To accommodate a variety of trail users, the project called for two different boardwalk widths. The Multi-Use Path is 12 feet, designed for a broader range of visitors (walkers, families, and casual cyclists). The other offers a narrower, 6-foot route built for mountain bikers. Separating these traffic types helped improve safety and enhanced the overall flow of the trail.
Thanks to strong coordination between the City of Bentonville, Trailblazers, and the Walton Family Foundation, this project successfully added to Northwest Arkansas’s growing reputation as an outdoor destination.
