Bloomington, Indiana – A stretch of East 10th Street long defined by its leafy canopy is set to look a little different, but not as dramatically as first feared.
After weeks of back, and, forth shaped by public concern and city advocacy, the City of Bloomington and the Indiana Department of Transportation have reached a preliminary understanding that trims down the number of mature oak trees slated for removal near Pete Ellis Drive.
Earlier plans had signaled a significant change to the corridor.
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INDOT had notified city officials that as many as fifteen oak trees could be cleared to make way for work within the state’s right, of, way, close to the Pete Ellis Drive post office. For many residents, the prospect struck a nerve. The towering oaks are more than just roadside greenery; they are part of the area’s character, offering shade, continuity, and a sense of place along one of Bloomington’s well, traveled routes.
City officials took those concerns seriously. After hearing from residents uneasy about losing such a visible portion of the urban canopy, Bloomington staff relayed the feedback directly to INDOT.
What followed was a series of discussions aimed at finding middle ground, one that would allow critical road improvements to move forward while limiting environmental impact.
The result is a scaled, back approach. Under the revised plan, the number of trees expected to be removed has been reduced to seven. That shift means eight mature oak trees along Pete Ellis Drive will remain standing, preserving a portion of the corridor’s established landscape.
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The agreement reflects a balancing act. On one side sits the need for infrastructure upgrades, including planned improvements at the intersection of State Road 45 and Pete Ellis Drive, along with additional travel lanes along 10th Street. On the other is Bloomington’s ongoing effort to protect and maintain its urban tree canopy, an asset widely valued by residents.
This updated plan is not yet final. It is scheduled to be presented to the Bloomington Board of Public Works on March 23, where it will be reviewed and discussed. Before construction can begin, there may also be additional procedural steps related to temporary right, of, way access.
Timing remains tight. Tree removal, as currently outlined, is expected to be completed before April 1, aligning with seasonal considerations and project scheduling.
City officials have acknowledged INDOT’s willingness to revisit its initial approach. The revised plan, they note, is the product of collaboration and responsiveness to community input, an outcome that preserves part of the landscape while keeping the project on track.
As work progresses, residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out directly to INDOT through its INDOT4U service line at 855-463-6848 or online portal.
