(BLOOMINGTON) – The approach of spring signals the start of road improvements and other public infrastructure projects enhancing safety and transportation in Bloomington.
Together with regular paving and maintenance services, the season’s warmer temperatures allow, several projects being undertaken by the City and the Indiana Department of Transportation will launch this spring.
The City will provide weekly updates on projects as they progress.
Lower Cascades Road Conversion
A .6-mile section of Old State Road 37 North is being converted to a trail in this pilot project scheduled to start Friday, March 13. Barricades will identify the south end of the trail just north of the Rogers Group plant (quarry) entrance and its north end, just south of the entrance to the southernmost playground parking lot. Plans call for Old State Road 37 North to be closed to motorists for this pilot road conversion project through Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
One of seven public amenity improvements being funded by City Bicentennial Bonds issued in 2018, the pilot trail project is intended to expand and integrate with Bloomington’s network of walking and bicycling trails; provide a safe, accessible destination for recreation and exercise; and offer bicycle commuters additional options for safer routes.
Run the Falls, a kickoff event for the trail pilot features a one-mile run/walk and a kids’ 100-meter dash Saturday, March 28 from 1-2:30 p.m. More information about the road conversion and a map is available here. Feedback park and trail visitors and users share during the pilot at this form will inform long-term plans for the road.
Adams Street Sidewalk and Intersection Improvements Project
Work will begin Monday, March 16 on a project to construct a sidewalk along the east side of S. Adams Street from S. Patterson Drive to W. Kirkwood Avenue. It will also replace the traffic signal equipment at the intersection of S. Adams Street and W. Kirkwood Avenue and make other geometric modifications along S. Adams Street including installation of physically protected bicycle lanes. More information about the project is available here.
West Allen Traffic Calming Project
Construction is scheduled to begin Monday, March 23 (weather permitting) on a project to install three speed humps on West Allen Street between Adams Street and Patterson Drive to reduce high traffic speeds recorded along this corridor. Two of the speed humps will serve as raised crosswalks to facilitate pedestrian access to the existing bus stops (one near Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and one near The Willows apartments) and the third will be located approximately midway between the two bus stops.
Construction is expected to last up to 60 days. During construction, all westbound traffic on this section of Allen Street will be detoured. The street will remain open to eastbound traffic throughout the project. More information about the project is available here.
INDOT East Third Street Resurfacing/Reconfiguration Project
Beginning in early April, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will begin a resurfacing/reconfiguration project on East Third Street between College Mall Road and State Road 446. The project will include patching, milling, paving, and curb ramp replacement along the 1.4-mile section. Following paving, the roadway will be reconfigured between Clarizz Blvd. and S.R. 446 to include a center turn lane, with one travel lane in each direction. Bike lanes will also be incorporated on each side. The changes are designed to improve safety by giving drivers a dedicated area from which to turn into the many homes and businesses along this corridor. Nighttime lane closures will be in effect during paving operations, with flaggers on site to manage traffic. Temporary lane closures will occur during the day when curb work is in progress. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 2020. More information about the project is available through INDOT at in.gov/indot or 1-855-463-6848.
When encountering these improvement projects, drivers are asked to travel slowly, cautiously, and distraction-free through the construction zone for the safety of the workers.
