(BLOOMINGTON) – The City of Bloomington Planning & Transportation Department is hosting a public meeting to discuss a project to extend the B-Line Trail on Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. in the atrium of City Hall (401 North Morton St.).
The purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the project to extend the trail on Fountain Drive and Crescent Road and to gather input from nearby residents and other stakeholders. Participants are welcome to arrive at any time between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., but the meeting will begin with a brief presentation and overview of the projects.
The project will construct an extension of the B-Line Trail from North Adams Street to West Fountain Drive. Additionally, a new multi-use path will be constructed from the extension of the B-Line Trail along West Fountain Drive to North Crescent Road, then north on North Crescent Road to West 17thStreet. The proposed project will also reconstruct the intersection of West Fountain Drive and North Crescent Road.
Those who are not able to attend the meeting may learn more by contacting Senior Project Manager Roy Aten at atenro@bloomington.in.gov or (812) 349-3423.
On the south side, East Short Street is scheduled for paving this week between South Highland Avenue and South Maxwell Street. Weather permitting, Street Division crews will be at work at this location Monday through Thursday. As updated here, lane restrictions and street closures are in place at these locations. The department updates the paving schedule at this map.
A City engineering project to improve safety and accessibility at multiple intersections downtown has been completed. The Downtown Curb Ramp Project replaced existing ramps with ADA compliant ramps at intersections across the city. More information about the Downtown Curb Ramp Project is available here.
Installation of a pedestrian island has begun at the intersection of Walnut Street Pike and East Winslow Road. The island construction is part of the Winslow-Henderson Path and Intersection Improvements Project, to enhance safety at this location and increase bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity. The project comprises new multi-use paths on East Winslow Road between South Walnut Street and South Henderson Street and on South Henderson Street for approximately 650 feet north of East Winslow Road, intersection improvements for East Winslow Road at South Walnut Street Pike, and short sidewalk connections to adjacent facilities as necessary. More information about the Winslow-Henderson project is available here.
The 17th Street Reconstruction Project to add pedestrian infrastructure and roadway improvements along the busy corridor is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2019. Work continues with the installation of stormwater utilities and the completion of underground utility installation. This project requires a full closure of West 17th Street from the roundabout at Arlington Road to the Vernal Pike/17th Street overpass. All through traffic, including pedestrians, must use an alternate route due to safety concerns. More information about the project can be found here.
Lane restrictions in place on West Bloomfield Road from South Patterson Drive to South Adams Street this week as construction of the missing gap in the existing multi-use path along the north side of West Second Street/West Bloomfield Road continues.  Crews are also improving the signalized intersections of West Bloomfield Road at South Landmark Avenue and West Second Street at South Patterson Drive. The federally-funded project is included in the Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Construction completion is slated for fall 2019. More information about the Second & Bloomfield Multimodal Safety Project is available here.  Â
A project to install sidewalk on the south side of Moores Pike from South Woodruff Lane to College Mall Road is about to get underway. Funding for the Moores Pike Sidewalk Project was allocated by the Common Council’s sidewalk committee and approved by the Board of Public Works August 7. More information about the project is available here.
The Brighten B-town initiative is completing the coordinated maintenance of Zone 2. Since the program began April 1, more than 26, 023 linear feet of curb have been painted and 38,640 pounds of curbside debris removed. Additionally, 330 fire hydrants have been painted, 1,822 stormwater inlets cleared, and 112.25 truckloads of mulch laid. Brighten B-town has integrated the efforts of staff from multiple City departments to deliver upkeep and maintenance services block by block. Brighten B-town progress may be charted here.
Demolition of the Fourth Street Garage will begin this week after testing of the equipment that has been installed at the location. Demolition is scheduled to continue through the end of November. Lane restrictions are in effect at the following locations: the southernmost lane on Fourth Street and a driving lane and parking lane on the west side of Walnut Street (closest to the garage). For safety reasons, the north-south alley on the west side of the garage will be closed during the work hours of 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., after which time the alley will re-open to pedestrian traffic. A covered walkway will provide safe access for pedestrians and patrons of the businesses located off the alley for the duration of the demolition. Construction of the new parking facility is on schedule to begin in early December.
The parking facility proposed for the Trades District was approved by the Plan Commission September 9. Final construction designs are being prepared for release for bids within 60 days, with construction scheduled to begin in December.
As the busy improvement season continues, the City of Bloomington encourages drivers to exercise particular caution in road work zones. Drivers should respect posted signs and directions from flaggers, and allow for extra travel time in anticipation of delays.
