Summer Brings Improvements to Roads and Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure

The construction season proceeds this summer, as current public health guidelines allow, bringing improvements to city streets and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, among other public works.  City employees are continuing to practice (and work with contractors to implement) CDC protocols regarding physical distancing, face covering, hygiene, and disinfection of vehicles and equipment to protect workers engaged in these projects and prevent community transmission of COVID-19. Updates on several projects follow, with an opportunity for Bloomington homeowners leading this week’s list. Click "Read More" to see what updates are happening around Bloomington.

Sidewalk Repair Assistance Program Phase 2
Homeowners within the City of Bloomington are invited to apply for funding to improve the sidewalk adjacent to their property.  Now in its second phase, the Sidewalk Repair Assistance Program is open to those who own and occupy single-family homes in federally designated Community Development Block Grant areas within the corporate limits of Bloomington, and are current on payment of property taxes and other debts to the City.   In addition, the sidewalk must have a “poor” rating on the pavement condition index, as verified by City staff. 
 
Phase 2 of the sidewalk partnership program will begin Monday, July 27 with the improvement of sidewalks in front of several properties along North Madison Street between 14th and 17th Streets. Property owners in that area with sidewalks in need of repair are urged to apply for participation while crews are already working in this area; homeowners across the City are also welcome to apply for participation.  Prospective participants may enter their address into a portal at the project’s website to determine their eligibility.  The Sidewalk Repair Assistance Program removed and replaced more than 2500 linear feet of sidewalk in two neighborhoods during its first phase in 2019.  
 
Sare Road Multiuse Path and Intersection Improvements Project
As part of the Sare Road improvement project, the southbound lane of South Sare Road is closed from East Moores Pike to East Buttonwood Lane through Sunday, July 26.  The northbound lane of South Sare Road will remain open to traffic.  A detour route will utilize East Moores Pike to South High Street to East Rogers Road. Digital warning signs and detour signage have been placed for motorists. 
 
The project adds improvements at the Sare Road-Moores Pike intersection and a multiuse path on the west side of South Sare Road from Moores Pike to the roundabout at the intersection of Rogers Road.  The path is expected to be completed by November 2020.  More information is available here. 

Kirkwood Pedestrian Plaza
Starting this week, bollards will be installed on Kirkwood at noon on Thursdays at Indiana, Dunn, and Grant to create a pedestrian plaza into which restaurants may expand physically distanced seating, per current public health guidelines. Vehicular traffic will continue to flow south on Dunn Street.  Bollards will remain in place through Monday mornings at 7 a.m.  Approved by the Board of Public Works June 9, the temporary encroachment into the right-of-way will continue through September 30.  

Streets and Sidewalks
The 2020 paving and concrete/curb repair season continues this week with paving along East Grimes Lane from South Walnut Street to South Henderson Street. Sidewalks are being installed this week along East Hillside Drive from South Highland Avenue to South High Street.  Both projects involve lane restrictions.  On Tuesday, crews repainted the crosswalk and stop bar on Indiana Avenue at Kirkwood.