Kirkwood Pedestrian Enhancement Project Progress, Plus Paving And Road Improvement Updates

(BLOOMINGTON) – The City of Bloomington continues to advance projects enhancing safety, transportation, economic vitality, and quality of life this spring.  Improvements to city streets, parking facilities, water, and wastewater system, and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure are among the essential activities permitted to proceed by state and local regulations and in compliance with current public health guidelines. 

City employees are practicing and working with contractors to implement CDC protocols regarding physical distancing, hygiene, and disinfection of vehicles and equipment to protect workers engaged in these projects and prevent community transmission of COVID-19.

Kirkwood Avenue Maintenance Project 

Since April 1, the Kirkwood Avenue Maintenance Project has progressed with the construction of pedestrian enhancements to Bloomington’s landmark boulevard.  The project is replacing deteriorating brick crosswalks at each intersection and installing removable bollard barriers to restrict vehicular traffic during street fairs and festivals. Crosswalks have thus far been installed at Indiana Avenue, Grant Street, and Washington Street and those intersections reopened to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.  Currently, under construction, the intersections at Dunn, Lincoln, and Walnut Streets are currently closed to vehicular traffic; pedestrians are directed to the alternative walkarounds and temporary ADA ramps in place at these locations.  Traffic on Lincoln is currently running in two directions between Fourth Street and Kirkwood until the intersection there reopens.

For the duration of the project, traffic will be able to flow through the intersections not under construction.  By design no two adjacent intersections will be closed simultaneously, to allow for access to businesses and residences in the area.  In all, 18 curb ramps and 18 stamped concrete crosswalks at Indiana, Dunn, Grant, Lincoln, and Washington together with 90+ bollards along Kirkwood are scheduled for installation by June 1.  After milling and paving the entire length of Kirkwood, the project is expected to be complete by the end of June.  More information is available here.   

Milling/Paving and Concrete Repair 

With spring’s warmer temperatures, the 2020 paving schedule has begun and concrete and curb repair are underway. Sidewalks are currently being replaced in the 1100 block of West Bloomfield Road.  Paving is taking place this week along South Swain Avenue from East Atwater south to the road’s end, and north to East Third Street.  Paving is also underway on East Atwater Avenue from South Highland Avenue to the road’s end and on East State Court from South Swain to the road’s end.  This year’s proposed paving schedule is mapped at this link.