Regional planners said Wednesday that the Arkansas Department of Transportation may not provide funding for a side path along 16.7 miles of Arkansas 112 between Fayetteville and Bentonville.

• The Department of Transportation considers side paths to be more recreational and not part of the state's transportation system, especially if it is separate from the highway. -NWA Democrat-Gazette
• Mike Johnson, a NWA Regional Planning Commission member, is encouraging the department to reconsider the 15-year-old policy. If the department denies this request, regional planners and cities will have to cover up to $5.5 million for construction costs.
• Tim Conklin, assistant director at regional planning, said they aren't working with just one city. "Some of the smaller cities, especially, would be very challenged to pay for some state highway infrastructure," he said. -NWA Democrat-Gazette