Bloomington, Indiana – Bloomington city authorities are considering ideas to change Indiana Avenue, which is one of Bloomington’s busiest thoroughfares, in an attempt to solve safety issues related to heavy traffic and pedestrian accidents. Currently a one-way road running northward from Atwater Avenue to 10th Street, Indiana Avenue divides Indiana University from downtown Bloomington. One of Bloomington’s “most dangerous areas,” according to the bike and pedestrian coordinator Hank Duncan, the street has witnessed many injuries and deaths, especially in sections near the university.
After a thorough investigation including building an interactive map highlighting areas of significant pedestrian and traffic events, the city has proposed two main ideas meant to increase the safety of the corridor. The first idea calls for turning one lane into a protected two-way bike lane; the second calls for turning the roadway into a two-way for cars and include unprotected bike lanes on each side.
“Concept A” calls for keeping a single car lane from Atwater Avenue to 10th Street, but it adds a protected bike lane set apart from vehicular traffic by low, plastic barriers. Along the avenue, this concept also calls for raised crosswalks—that is, speed humps with crosswalks—at various points of intersection. Reducing the number of car lanes, Duncan said, would not only slow down traffic but also improve pedestrian crossing safety.
Alternatively, “Concept B” would turn Indiana Avenue into a two-way street—a modification mostly approved by public comments. This idea also intends to slow traffic flow and includes raised crosswalks at important sections, so improving pedestrian safety at crossings—especially those linking to IU via Kirkwood Avenue.
Duncan emphasized the community’s involvement in these suggested adjustments during a public forum that took place on July 16, stressing the need of continuous conversations with nearby companies such as Dagwoods and BuffaLouie. The goal is to achieve a compromise between preserving access to parking and other facilities vital for these companies and safety enhancements.
Meeting discussions revealed some worries about the more complicated pedestrian crossings under “Concept B,” with the need of being alert for vehicles approaching from all sides. Duncan underlined, nevertheless, the city’s inclination for “Concept A,” highlighting that cutting the traffic lanes is a more sensible approach to guarantee pedestrian safety.
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Bloomington continues to seek community input via an online survey, and it has scheduled another public discussion meeting for August 13 at the Sample Gates. Aiming to create a safer, more laid-back pedestrian environment along one of Bloomington’s most important corridors, these suggestions seek to start safety enhancements by 2025. Duncan underlined the need of community participation in the designing process.
“We’re not making the street for us, we’re making it for the community,” Duncan said. “In doing that, we have to get community feedback.”
