Various road-improvement and infrastructure projects in Bloomington have started during Gov. Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order, which is scheduled to last until April 20. The city's goal is to have the projects finished by the time IU and Monroe County Community School Corporation return to their regular academic schedules, according to a city press release.
City of Bloomington spokesperson Yaël Ksander said the city is accelerating these projects during the pandemic so they are as nondisruptive as possible to residents. The contractors and construction crews are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, such as spacing out construction workers and providing masks.
“When business resumes as normal and students come back to Bloomington, we can enjoy these enhancements and not have had to suffer through all these closures during a really busy time,” Ksander said.
The Kirkwood Avenue Maintenance Project began around April 1, replacing deteriorating brick sidewalks at each intersection and installing removable barriers for use during street fairs and festivals. During the project, vehicles can’t drive through areas of the road under construction, such as the intersections of Dunn, Lincoln and Walnut, according to the press release. Construction is expected to be fully completed by the end of July.
The School Zone Enhancements Project is the second project aimed to be completed quicker than planned, installing signs and flashing beacons in school zones throughout the city. The signs and beacons will alert drivers to slow their speed.
The beacons will go off for a short time before and after school near areas where students have to cross the street. The project is expected to be completed before the start of the 2020-21 school year, according to the press release.
