(BLOOMINGTON) – On-site preparation for the demolition of the Fourth Street Garage gets underway this week, with the installation of water barriers and temporary construction fencing around the City facility. Also, this week, lane restrictions are going into 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).
Demolition of the existing structure will begin the week of September 3 after Labor Day weekend. 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. Representatives from the City and contractor F.A. Wilhelm Construction have been meeting with neighboring business owners to share the project timeline, answer questions, address concerns, and introduce the primary point-of-contact during the project.
The Brighten B-town initiative is making progress within Zone 2, where crews are focusing on painting curbs in the Maple Heights neighborhood. Since the coordinated maintenance program began April 1, more than 23,498 linear feet of curb has been painted and 37,110 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.
The Maple Heights neighborhood is also scheduled for paving this week. Weather permitting, Street Division crews will be paving North Jackson Street from 13th to 17th Streets from Monday through Thursday. Also this week, paving will be completed on East 13th Street between Fess and Woodlawn Avenues. As updated here, lane restrictions and street closures are in place at these locations. The department updates the paving schedule at this map.
Replacement of curb ramps at the northwest corner of Seventh and Rogers Streets is underway. Lane restrictions will occur intermittently during this project. This project is a continuation of the Downtown Curb Ramp Project to improve safety and accessibility at multiple intersections downtown. More information about the Downtown Curb Ramps 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 this week and the completion of retaining walls continuing next week. 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 the 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.
As the 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.
