Little Rock’s SoMa neighborhood is installing a "traffic calming pop-up" at one of Main Street's busiest intersections.
Friday at noon, Little Rock city workers will be installing the pop-up at 15th and Main, home to The Root Cafe, the Green Corner store, and other local shops.
Elizabeth Michael, Executive Director of the nonprofit SoMa 501, says the intersection will see many changes.
"Painting the bike lanes, installing curb bump-outs, painted curb bump-outs... we will be putting a temporary barrier around the medians, and in addition to that, we will have planters with trees in them," Michael said. "Visually, to the driver, it will indicate, 'there is something in the road, I need to slow down and pay attention to what's going on around me."
City leaders said the added greenery will be a more inviting streetscape.
Jack Sundell, co-owner of The Root, spoke at a Thursday press conference, noting that a recent traffic study revealed some disconcerting traffic trends.
"A week-long traffic study at this intersection in July of 2025 recorded over 2,000 cars travelling at 35 miles per hour or faster, with the fastest travelling at 81 miles per hour. At 35 miles per hour, there is a 19% chance of pedestrian fatality, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They don't give a percentage for 81 miles per hour, but I am pretty sure it would be close to 100%.”
The pop-up was intentionally timed to coincide with Fiesta en SoMa, a themed block party starting Friday night. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said that as Little Rock grows, walkability will be prioritized.
"In the SoMa area, you really see what Little Rock feels like. So with that, and with having a growing city, we need to slow down some traffic because we also want to have a more walkable city.”
The Slow Down SoMa pop-up will be at the intersection for a few months, according to officials. To learn more and to take a survey about the state of Main Street safety, visit SomaLittleRock.com.
