BLOOMINGTON – Numerous infrastructure improvement projects are underway this season to advance community goals, including safety, sustainability, accessibility, equity, economic vitality, and quality of life in Bloomington. The City will provide regular public updates on a range of these improvements as they progress. City departments coordinate with one another, as well as with private developers, to minimize the impact on Bloomington residents and visitors.
PARKS & RECREATION
New Roof for the Barn, and New Trails at Goat Farm Park
Contractors are continuing work on park improvements at Goat Farm Park. The new trails have been laid out, compacted, and graveled in preparation for paving that will make the trails accessible. Improvements on the barn are underway, as new posts have been set underneath the eastern eave and roofers prepare to put a new roof on the barn next week.
Playground Installation Begins at The Waldron, Hill, and Buskirk Park
Workers are on site this week beginning the installation of the new Waldron, Hill, and Buskirk Park playground, which was removed as part of the City of Bloomington Utilities’ Hidden River Pathway Project. Installation of the equipment, which includes a slide, climbing net, and toddler-size play equipment, will take several weeks. Once the equipment is installed, Parks and Recreation will schedule the installation of poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing, which will improve playground accessibility.
UTILITIES
Hidden River Pathway Project
The two-year downtown stormwater infrastructure reconstruction project to address flooding during rain events continues and Grant Street between 4th and Kirkwood remains affected. 4th Street is now fully re-open. The culvert is complete and the next steps are repairing and paving the road, alley, and parking lot so, weather permitting, they may be reopened in the next week. This project is on track to be finished by the February 2023 deadline. For more information about the project visit: bloomington.in.gov/utilities/hidden-river.
PUBLIC WORKS
Street crews resurfaced East Queens Way Drive from South Sussex Drive to South Montclair Avenue, South Renwick Boulevard from South Montclair Avenue to South Ramsey Drive, and started on South Walnut Street Pike from South Walnut Street to South Heather Drive. Sidewalk crews installed ADA-compliant ramps at South Walnut Street Pike and East Heather Drive as well as South Walnut Street Pike and East Allendale Drive.
Next week, crews will finish resurfacing South Walnut Street Pike.
Sidewalk crews will begin installing ADA-compliant ramps on E Weymouth Lane at N Plymouth Road and Park Ridge Court ahead of the paving crew.
ENGINEERING
Hopewell Phase 1 East
The project completed all of the demolition on the site and site restoration is wrapping up. This week an old underground storage tank was removed (see the below photo) and remediation around the tank is ongoing. Expect continued activity on the site for the next couple of weeks.
The Hopewell Phase 1 East project site is bounded by 2nd Street to the north, 1st Street to the south, B-Line to the east, and Rogers Street to the west. Additional information about the project and the contractor can be found at the following links: https://bton.in/mRp~I, hopewellbloomington.org, and renascentinc.com/
Lane Restrictions
Over the next few weeks, Lineal Contracting will be completing a fiber project for Everstream along South Rogers Street, West Patterson Drive, West Grimes Lane, and South Walnut. There will be lane restrictions along those streets as they place both underground and aerial fiber cables. There will be intermittent sidewalk closures as well.
Jackson Creek Trail Phase II
Construction has started on the southern section of the Jackson Creek Trail Phase Two Project. This phase of the project will connect to the trail at Sherwood Oaks Park and continue south to Rhorer Road and then east to connect to the multi-use path along Sare Road. When completed, this project will become a vital neighborhood connection among three City Parks (Sherwood Oaks, Olcott, and Southeast Park) and two Public Schools (Jackson Creek Middle School and Childs Elementary). Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.
Crestmont Traffic Calming
Construction for the installation of traffic calming devices on 12th Street (Lindbergh to Monroe) and 13th Street (Illinois to Summit) is substantially complete. The traffic calming project was prioritized through the City’s Resident-Led Process of the Traffic Calming and Greenways Program (TCGP). Additional information about the project and the contractor can be found at: https://bton.in/6nWTt
Completed Speed Cushions on 12th Street
Completed Speed Cushions on 13th Street
Smith Road Resurfacing
The new sidewalks and ramps for the Smith Road Resurfacing Project were completed last week. This week the contractor is milling and paving, as well as striping the road. All work is expected to be completed by Friday.
