BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington’s Planning and Transportation Department is launching a Corridor Study of College Avenue and Walnut Street, based on recommendations from the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan.
As the city’s central north/south transportation corridors, College and Walnut serve as gateways to the community as well as the front door for hundreds of local businesses and thousands of residents. However, in this critical corridor, there are challenges too: the sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks along the corridor do not all meet current accessibility standards; many bus stops lack shelters; and each year, several hundred motor vehicle crashes occur along the length of the corridors.
The Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation Plan reflect extensive input from many Bloomington residents. The City Council unanimously adopted the Transportation Plan in May 2019 and the Comprehensive Plan in January 2018. The College and Walnut Corridor Study is a key recommendation in the Transportation Plan, and the City is pleased to be implementing recommendations from adopted community plans.
The Corridor Study will examine College Avenue and Walnut Street from the SR 45/46 Bypass to Allen Street. The study will look at what’s working well, where challenges exist, and where improvements can be made. Using public input, research, and analysis, the Corridor Study will propose conceptual designs for the streets.
The City wants to hear from all members of the community who use these streets. Visit the project website to sign up to receive project update emails, share your perspective, or sign up for an in-person Stroll and Discuss Event. Residents can invite staff to attend a meeting to discuss the project. Finally, plan to participate in public meetings during the week of June 12, 2023. For more information, the project website is available at: https://bton.in/R1fAW.
Residents can apply to be appointed to the Corridor Study Steering Committee, similar to applying to serve on a board or commission. Steering Committee members will review existing conditions, weigh in on design ideas, and encourage public participation for the weeklong charrette in June 2023. Applications will be accepted until noon on April 20. Residents can apply online at: https://bton.in/it351.
Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for updates at: https://bton.in/R1fAW.
