Saline County unveiled Wednesday its first completed segment of the Southwest Trail, adding 2 miles of asphalt to the multicounty project.

Started in 2014, the Southwest Trail will stretch approximately 65 miles across Pulaski, Saline and Garland counties, with the trail’s planned end points at the Hot Springs National Park and the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

Saline County Judge Matt Brumley told the crowd that the trail connects to a portion that cuts through neighboring Pulaski County, giving bicyclists “6½ miles of rideable trail for the great people in our region.”

In total, the Saline County section of the Southwest Trail will span 26.1 miles and is split in 10 total segments. The Pulaski County share will span 11.45 miles and be split into nine segments. The Garland County section will feature an estimated six sections, but Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney was unable to provide a precise total in miles. The Saline County share revealed Wednesday was Segment S8A, spanning 2 miles from the Pulaski-Saline county line to Germania.

James A. Rogers Excavating was the general contractor for Segment S8A.

Chris Meyer, president and CEO of James A. Rogers Excavating, said the trail is “where families will walk together, children will ride bicycles and communities will connect.”

Instead of dipping into tax dollars, Saline County has collected nearly $12 million in grant funding.

Joe Jacobs, vice president of the Bicycling Advocacy of Central Arkansas, said the trail will become a draw and an economic benefit to the region as a whole.

“We got the grant, and the design was done, and now it’s up to the counties themselves to actually build the trail,” he said.

Jacobs described the trail as both an “investment in the future of our community” and a “powerful economic development tool.”

“Trails like the Southwest Trail provide transportation options. Not every trip needs to be made by car,” Jacobs continued. “Safe, connected trails give people the opportunity to walk, run, bike or roll between neighborhoods, parks, schools and businesses.

“Trails attract visitors, support local businesses, increase property values and help communities compete for new residents and employers,” he said. “People increasingly choose where they live based on access to outdoor recreation, and active transportation investments like this one help position Saline County and central Arkansas for long-term success.”

Jacobs also contended that the trail will improve quality of life for residents who make good use of it.

“They give families a place to spend time together, provide opportunities for recreation and exercise, and help make our communities healthier and more enjoyable places to live,” he said.

Melissa Meador, a member of Little Rock’s Mello Velo Cycling Club, said area cyclists look forward to what is to come.

“For groups that live in Saline County, this is gonna be great,” she said. “It’s nice because you’re off the road. You’re in the trees. It’s lovely,” she said.

Steve Barger, another bicycle enthusiast, is anticipating longer rides and greater access in the future.

“I’m really excited about the prospect of riding all the way to Hot Springs,” Barger said. “That’ll be fun, and this trail will make that really easy, given that it’s paved and smooth and has nice, regulated road crossings.”

Saline County has yet to break ground on its next segment of the trail, but it does have several portions in active development, including in Benton.

“We have a challenge, and it’s called the Union Pacific Railroad, and we’re trying to go under one of their bridges. … As soon as everything is settled at Union Pacific, we’re ready to start laying asphalt,” Brumley said.

Saline County is also working on the Germania Vimy Ridge segment, making its way to the Old River Bridge.

“And then on the Haskell side of the Old River Bridge, we’re about 30% complete with engineering and design, which will take us all the way to the Garland County line,” Brumley said.

Pulaski County has completed its first segment of the Southwest Trail — running from the county line to Hilaro Springs Road — and plans to begin construction on the next segments by the end of the summer, connecting Hilaro Springs Road to Baseline Road.

Pulaski County also plans to begin construction on additional parts by the end of summer. Those segments include the Arkansas State Fairgrounds to Wright Avenue and Wright Avenue to Central High. Its remaining five segments are either in the acquisition or designing phases, or haven’t begun development.

Garland County’s portion of the Southwest Trail has yet to break ground, but the county hopes to begin construction on its first segment by the end of the summer, officials have said.