Maple Street's New Look: What to Know About the Completed Improvements

Phase one of the Maple Street Improvement Project, which ran through summer 2025, has reshaped the eastern stretch of one of the U of A campus' most iconic streets, adding infrastructure that prioritizes safety, accessibility and a more pleasant experience for people walking, biking and driving.

The project is a partnership between U of A Facilities Management (FAMA), the Office for Sustainability, the City of Fayetteville's Transportation Division and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safer Streets for All Grant Program. It covers the half-mile corridor between Garland Avenue and the Razorback Regional Greenway at Gregg Avenue, with work structured in two phases to avoid disruptions during the academic year. Phase two, covering the section from Garland Avenue to Leverett Avenue, is scheduled for summer 2026, with a target completion before students return in the fall.

Two-Way Bike Path

The most visible addition is a grade-separated bicycle and e-scooter path running along the south side of Maple Street. The lane provides a dedicated space for bicyclists and e-scooter riders separate from the vehicle lanes and the pedestrian sidewalk, enhancing safety for all users within the streetscape. At the intersection of Arkansas and Maple, bicyclists will find their own dedicated crossing location, complete with bright green piano keys and the first bike signal on the U of A campus. If a person on a bicycle waits within the bike lane, the traffic signal will recognize them and grant them the green light when it's safe to proceed. They don't need to press a button.

Improved Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrians are the primary users of Maple Street, and this redesign reflects that. Crosswalks along the corridor have been upgraded with passive detection technology, which automatically senses when someone approaches a crossing and triggers flashing beacons. The redesigned lane widths, which are much more suitable for a 20-mph speed limit, have significantly reduced the crossing distances. This makes it both faster and safer to cross Maple Street on foot. The redesign also adds new Senior Walk space on both sides of the street, extending one of campus' most beloved traditions to a freshly rebuilt corridor.

Landscape Buffer

New greenspace and street trees create a vertical buffer between people and cars which have been proven to reduce crashes and protect people on the sidewalks. In addition, the landscape will shape the space, absorb stormwater, create pollinator habitat and shape the space. This landscape has the ability to convert the road environment into a calming experience for students as they travel to and from school.

The improvements are part of a broader vision that has been years in the making. Maple Street was identified as a key corridor in the University's Campus Transportation Plan, the NWA Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and the Fayetteville Mobility Plan. When complete, the redesigned street will serve as the primary route connecting campus to the Razorback Greenway.

Phase two of construction, from Garland to Leverett, will begin in May of 2026. The university and city have structured the timeline to minimize disruption during the academic year. Updates on road closures and detour information will be provided by FAMA and the City of Fayetteville as the summer approaches.

In the meantime, the completed eastern section is open and ready to use. Those who are commuting to class, heading out for a ride on the Greenway or simply walking across campus will now have a smoother and safer trip thanks to Maple Street's new infrastructure.