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
Bryan Park Pool and Mills Pool
Both pools are scheduled to open to the public for the 2022 swimming season this Saturday, May 28, at 11 a.m. Parks staff tested chemical and mechanical systems, as well as the pool heaters.
For more City pool information visit bloomington.in.gov/parks/pools.
Lower Cascades
Bloomington’s first public park, dedicated in 1924 and upgraded by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, has been undergoing a significant streambank erosion project and trail and boardwalk construction, all of which is reaching substantial completion. The new accessible boardwalk to the waterfall opened for public use on May 11th. This week contractors are restoring the original limestone picnic tables to new concrete pads.
City of Bloomington Public Works has substantially completed guardrail installation along both sides of Headley Road. The new pedestrian crossing speed table will be painted with warning markings this week and a few final safety improvements will be made before the road is reopened to two-way traffic.
Learn more about the Griffy Lake project at bloomington.in.gov/node/3512.
Griffy Lake Accessible Fishing Pier and Loop Trail
RCA Community Park
The playground at RCA Community Park will be closed May 31-June 2 while Parks and Recreation staff remove the old playground surfacing, and install new engineered wood fiber surfacing. RCA’s athletic fields and courts, trails, and shelters will be open during playground resurfacing work.
Rose Hill Cemetery
Asphalt removal work scheduled for last week was delayed to this week and on the 24th contractors began to remove asphalt in the area identified for the planned scatter garden (designated place for scattering the ashes of those who have been cremated). Paving of Rose Hill’s interior roads will begin after Memorial Day Weekend and work will continue through June. The cemetery's internal roads will be closed during this time. Once resurfacing begins, the cemetery and Third Street pedestrian entrance will be closed to all foot and vehicle traffic.
Switchyard Park
The Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad at Switchyard Park opens for the 2022 season on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. and will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Labor Day, when the hours of operation change to weekends only. Spray Pad admission is free.
Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/parks/parks/switchyard-park/spray-pad
Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park
Water pump and electrical system repairs on the decorative fountain at The Waldron, Hill, and Buskirk Park (formerly Third Street Park) are completed and the fountain is now operating.
ENGINEERING
New Traffic Signal at the Intersection of Tapp Road and Deborah Drive
A new traffic signal funded by the Indiana Department of Transportation via past agreements associated with the I-69 project at the intersection of Tapp Road and Deborah Drive was activated Tuesday, May 24th.
North Walnut Street & 17th Street Lane Closures
There will be a single lane closure on N Walnut Street from East 15th Street to East 17th Street for the installation of a new sanitary sewer main. This work is associated with the development project called “The Standard'' on the south side of 14th Street between Walnut Street and Dunn Street. The closure will be in place from approximately June 6 to August 12, 2022, and impacts to the intersection of 17th Street and Walnut Street are being coordinated with the City’s multiuse path project on 17th Street, which currently restricts 17th Street to one-way (eastbound) traffic only between Walnut Street and Dunn Street. The sanitary sewer main work associated with “The Standard'' is anticipated to require a full closure of 17th Street between Walnut Street and College Street from approximately June 8th to June 20th.
Crosswalk Improvements Project
Construction is expected to begin in June on the City of Bloomington's Crosswalk Improvement Project, a federally funded project that will construct improved crosswalks at three different intersections. The project was prioritized by the Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) to receive $494,005 in Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding for up to 90% of construction costs. The Highway Safety Improvement Program is a core Federal-aid program with the purpose to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The safety and accessibility improvements include the following:
- 3rd Street at Grant - A median island will be installed within 3rd Street. The new island will provide a refuge area for people walking or bicycling to cross only half of 3rd Street at a time. Motor vehicle access to and from Grant Street will be restricted to right turns only. This change is intended to mitigate a high number of motor vehicle crashes as well as to improve the crosswalks at the intersection. Construction will also include accessible curb ramps, warning signs, and new markings. During construction, 3rd Street will be limited to one lane in each direction. The City will coordinate with the adjacent private development construction project (“The Annex”) on Grant Street between 3rd and 4th Streets to facilitate traffic and access to local businesses and residences.
- 11th at Diamond/Blair - A rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB), which is a warning light system that activates when a button is pushed, will be installed to improve the visibility of people crossing 11th Street. Construction will also include accessible curb ramps, warning signs, and new markings.
- Isaac at Patterson - The radii of the north and west corners of this intersection will be reduced to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and reduce motor vehicle speeds at the crosswalks. Construction will also include accessible curb ramps, warning signs, and new markings.
Hidden River Pathway Project
The two-year downtown stormwater infrastructure reconstruction project to prevent flooding during rain events will continue to necessitate lane closures on Grant Street. The City will coordinate with other construction and road projects as they reconstruct 1,829 feet of culverts to protect downtown area residential and commercial buildings.
PUBLIC WORKS
Street Paving
Street paving planned for this week and the week of May 30 includes:
- East Winslow Road from Abby Lane to South High Street
- South Uppington Court from Bradshire Street to Dead End
- East Hunters Glen at South Sare Rd to Dead End
- South Attlee Court from East Winston Street to Dead End
Alerts Sign-up