Bloomington, Indiana – Back-to-school traffic will arrive in Bloomington with an extra challenge this August: several major streets are scheduled to close just as students, families and commuters begin settling into fall routines.
The closures are concentrated in the second half of the month and will affect key routes near Second, Rogers and Third streets. City officials say contractors are coordinating schedules to reduce overlap, but drivers should expect detours and changing conditions as the work moves forward.
The first major disruption is expected Monday, Aug. 17, when the Second and Rogers streets intersection is scheduled to close completely for about seven days. Crews will install new storm sewer infrastructure as part of the West Second Street Modernization and Safety Improvements project.
Rogers Street traffic will be redirected toward Walnut and College avenues using First and Third streets. Second Street traffic will be routed to First Street through Walker Street and Walnut/College. Access to nearby homes and businesses will remain available.
Read also: Bloomington invites residents to help shape safer streets during Aug. 22-28 events
One day later, another closure is anticipated on South Rogers Street between Dodds and First streets. Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 18, that section is expected to remain closed for about three days while crews install storm sewer infrastructure north of Dodds Street and complete full-depth pavement replacement to the centerline of Rogers.
Truck and through traffic will be routed toward Walnut and College using Patterson/Grimes and Third Street. A separate local route will use First Street, Wylie Street, Fairview Street and Dodds Street. The work is part of the Patterson/Grimes/Rogers Resurfacing project.
A longer closure is expected to begin Tuesday, Aug. 25, on Third Street between College Avenue and Walnut Street. City staff are working with the contractor to keep that shutdown to roughly two weeks.
That work includes removing pavement and concrete, replacing sewer structures, installing new curbs and medians, building a concrete bus pull-off, completing electrical work, adding light poles, and installing traffic-signal detection loops and pavement markings connected to the Convention Center expansion project. Planned milling and resurfacing work will also be incorporated.
Eastbound Third Street traffic will be diverted to Second Street, while westbound traffic will use Fourth Street. Local access will remain open.
The City said summer construction has already affected daily travel and acknowledged that the upcoming closures will require additional patience. Schedules may also shift because of weather, contractor needs or unexpected site conditions.
Residents, students and visitors can track current road, sidewalk and parking restrictions at bloomington.in.gov/inroads.
