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.
PARKS & RECREATION
City of Bloomington Parks Water Service–
Water service has been restored to almost all city park drinking fountains and restrooms after the regular winter shut-off. The restroom at the Lower Cascades playground is currently unavailable until a water line break is repaired, but the restrooms nearby at the Sycamore Shelter are available. Park restrooms are typically open mid-morning and closed between 7 p.m.. and 10 p.m. The restrooms at the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad in Switchyard Park are currently open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Winslow Sports Complex –
The new soccer field created on the former site of baseball field #5 at Winslow Sports Complex remains closed while the turf grass becomes established. The temporary fencing will be removed and the field will open when it is ready to absorb significant use by the community’s soccer players.
ENGINEERING
High Street Project Public Meeting –
A public input meeting for this project is scheduled for April 20, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Christ Community Church, 503 S High Street. The project will install a multiuse path along High Street from Arden Drive to 3rd Street and replace/modernize the traffic signals at the Hillside Drive/Moores Pike, 2nd Street, and 3rd Street intersections. The project will also evaluate intersection realignment at the 3rd Street intersection as well as additional intersection improvements at other locations within the corridor. Project goals include improving safety, accessibility, and mobility for all modes of transportation in this important corridor. This first public meeting will provide high-level details about the project and gather input regarding design. The design phase of the project is beginning now and construction is expected to begin in 2026. Additional information and future updates will be posted on the project website at: https://bton.in/F~q~a.
7th & Dunn All-way Stop Installation –
The intersection of E 7th St and N Dunn St was converted from a one-way stop-controlled intersection to an all-way stop-controlled intersection. The all-way stop reflects the recommendations of the City’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Commissions and a review of crash data along the 7th Street corridor following the construction of the 7-Line project. The Department of Public Works Street Division installed the new signage mid-afternoon on Wednesday, April 12th. Motorists and cyclists are required to stop at the all-way stop. The 7-Line is a protected east-west bicycle lane and improved transit corridor to connect the B-Line, downtown, Indiana University campus, and eastside and westside neighborhoods.
17th Street Multiuse Path (Monroe to Walnut) –
A multiuse path is being constructed along the north side of the street and accessible sidewalk curb ramps are being installed. The street will be resurfaced and the existing traffic signal at the intersection of 17th Street at Madison Street/Kinser Pike will be replaced. Construction began in April and is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. Currently, traffic lanes on 17th Street are shifted in preparation for a 45-day closure of the intersection of 17th Street and Madison Street/Kinser Pike that will begin after Memorial Day weekend. More information is available on the project webpage at: https://bton.in/1D30T
Downtown Curb Ramps, Phase III –
Construction was started this month on the replacement of curb ramps in 15 locations throughout the downtown area. This is an intermediate phase of a larger project to make pedestrian improvements in downtown Bloomington. Contractor outreach is continuing for local businesses and residents, and construction is anticipated to continue for the next few months and be completed in early summer. More information is available on the project webpage at: https://bton.in/J7tfx
Citywide Fiber Project –
AEG is building the fiber network that will allow (bloomington.in.gov/fiber) GigaBitNow to provide high-speed fiber internet service (gigabitnow.com/bloomington). The City is overseeing the construction through the right-of-way use permit program. If residents have concerns or questions about the construction of the project, AEG can be contacted at 812-269-8805. AEG is responsible for providing door hangers on adjacent properties prior to construction with additional project details and contact information.
On Tuesday, Mayor Hamilton, GigabitNow CEO Steve Milton, Hoosier Fiber Networks CEO Clinty Wiley, and Bloomington Housing Authority Administrator Leon Gordon held an event to announce 100 homes in the South Griffy neighborhood are now ready for connection to Hoosier Fiber Network’s fiber internet network, with an additional 3,700 homes expected ready for connection by the end of May. Since the project began, nearly a quarter million feet of fiber optic conduit have been laid, and 3,676 homes passed throughout Bloomington.
Eligible low-income residents may qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP) to receive at least a symmetrical 250 megabits per second (Mpbs) plan at no cost to the user if ACP is applied. The City and Hoosier Fiber Networks will together provide the “drop” connection to qualifying households. Learn more about Tuesday’s event at: https://bton.in/o2k88.
PUBLIC WORKS
Crack Seal Program–
The Street Division crews began applying a crack sealant in Park Ridge East this week. Streets scheduled for maintenance are Morningside Drive, Sheffield Drive, and Park Ridge Road. This is common post-winter maintenance to help protect street infrastructure after the cold weather season. Next week crews will move to Gentry Estates and Hoosier Acres.
ADA Curb Ramps–
Concrete crews will be on Franklin Drive installing ADA-compliant curb ramps to prepare for resurfacing.
BLOOMINGTON TRANSIT
Increased Sunday Service & Free Rides
All Sunday Bloomington Transit rides are FREE until the end of the month (April 30, 2023). This is in celebration of the expanded Sunday service that went into effect on March 26th. Hourly service has been added to 2 South, 2 West, 3 East, 3 West, and 7 South, between 8:30 a.m until 5 p.m. All bus schedules can be found at: https://bton.in/vn3co
