Courtesy photo
Staff report
Bloomington, Ind. — July 17, 2023
Several infrastructure improvement projects are currently underway to enhance safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and overall quality of life in the city, according to the City of Bloomington.
PARKS & RECREATION
Storm Damage to Trees: Following a series of storms that began on June 25, the Parks & Recreation Department and the Street Division of the Public Works Department have been responding to over 250 calls from community members reporting damage to trees along streets, trails, and public spaces.
Haskell Smith, the City of Bloomington Urban Forester, reported that the storms, referred to as “derechos,” brought widespread straight-line winds, reaching speeds of up to 49 miles per hour. These strong winds affected living trees, causing damage even to healthy ones.
Cleanup efforts by four- and five-person crews from Parks & Recreation and the Street Division have been ongoing, with debris being hauled to the city’s green waste facility near Ferguson Dog Park for future processing. Residents can learn more about the urban forestry program and inquire about trees on private or city property through the City’s online tree inventory website, Treekeeper, at bloomington.in.gov/treecare or by contacting the Urban Forester at [email protected].
ENGINEERING
17th St (Monroe to Walnut): The construction of a multiuse path on the north side of 17th St, along with the installation of accessible sidewalk curb ramps, is progressing. Additionally, the street is being resurfaced, and the existing traffic signal at the intersection of 17th St at Madison St/Kinser Pike has been replaced. Construction commenced in April and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Paving and signal installation work is currently underway, and the intersection is anticipated to be open to traffic on Monday, July 17th.
The project will then continue to the west, resulting in the closure of eastbound traffic on 17th St from Monroe St to Maple St. Additional information can be found on the project webpage at bton.in/1D30T.
Henderson St (2nd to Smith) Neighborhood Greenway Connection: Henderson St, between 2nd St and Smith Ave, is now reopened to traffic. This section of the road was modified from two northbound lanes to a single northbound lane. For more details, visit the project webpage at bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/henderson-hunter.
Allen St (Walnut to Patterson) Neighborhood Greenway: Allen St, between Walnut St and Patterson St, has received bump outs, rain gardens, and speed cushions. Street signage and pavement markings are set to be installed by the end of this week.
Winslow Resurfacing Project: Progress continues on the Winslow Rd resurfacing project, which spans from Walnut St to Allendale Dr. As part of this project, the intersection of Winslow Rd and Allendale Dr is being reconfigured. Additionally, several ADA ramps along Winslow Rd are being updated. Lane closures are in place during construction with flaggers directing traffic. Milling is expected to be completed on Winslow Rd between Walnut St and Allendale Dr, paving is scheduled to begin this week, and pavement markings will be installed early next week. Further information can be found on the project webpage at bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/winslowresurfacing.
3rd St Resurfacing Project: Sidewalk ramp replacements are ongoing along 3rd St, with milling and paving set to begin in approximately a week between Overhill Dr and Eagleson Ave.
N Walnut St (14th to 17th): A lane closure will be in effect on N Walnut St from 14th St to 17th St for utility work from July 17th through August 11th. This work is associated with the new development project on 14th St east of N Walnut St (The Standard).
N Kinser Pike (17th to the Bypass): From July 17th through August 1st, N Kinser Pike will be fully closed for utility work near Brookdale Dr. Local access will be maintained during this period. This work is associated with the new development project west of Kinser Pike and south of Gourley Pike (The Arch).
Duke Energy: Phase 3 of the Bloomington Reliability Project by Duke Energy is underway, with full closures in place until the end of next week for utility work on N Rogers St from Kirkwood Ave to 11th St. Following this, intermittent, short-duration lane closures will continue until September 30th. The restoration work will extend until the end of November, affecting various streets, including S Rogers St, Patterson St, S Morton St, Madison St, 4th St, and Fairview St.
PUBLIC WORKS
Resurfacing Projects: Weather permitting, the Department of Public Works Street Division crews are scheduled to begin resurfacing N Rogers St from W Kirkwood Ave to N 11th St and W 7th St from N Rogers St to N Fairview St during the week of July 17th. Street restrictions will be in place during work hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with appropriate signage posted. An interactive map of 2023 paving projects is available at bton.in/tpNzZ.
Sidewalk Projects: Starting soon, the Department of Public Works Street Division crews will initiate a sidewalk construction project on W 13th St from N Fairview St to N Maple St.
