Hidden River Pathway Project
The Hidden River Pathway Project is progressing with the replacement of the network of culverts that carry the Campus River (formerly the Jordan River) from Dunn Meadow on the Indiana University campus southwest under downtown Bloomington to 1st Street and College Avenue, where it reappears as Clear Creek.
Last week, crews set precast structures in place along the pathway’s diagonal course from South Washington to Smith Street (behind the Rise) and poured the floors and walls of the cast-in-place section. Contractors have coordinated with The Project School to diminish impacts on their afternoon pickup. South Washington Street between East Third and Smith Streets is dedicated to Project School pickup traffic from 3 to 4 pm Monday through Thursday of this week, with flaggers directing traffic during that hour.
Installation of electric cable conduits continues this week in the alley on the east side of Grant Street between Long Fei Restaurant and Trinity Church and across Grant to the alley between Soma and The Venue, requiring the closure of the alley on both sides of Grant for approximately three weeks. The installation will also require closure of Grant Street through Friday, May 7.
The playground and four trees at The Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park (Third Street Park) were removed in February to accommodate the culvert replacement, and a large beech tree at the eastern side of the park was subsequently removed when it was determined that it would not survive the impacts of construction. The City’s Urban Forester continues to monitor the health of trees in the park. A site plan for the restoration of the playground, amenities, and trees is currently in development, with opportunities for engagement in the design process for Kid City summer day camp participants and Project School students, two populations that use the park regularly. After completion, the site plan will be presented to CBU and the Parks and Recreation department for review and approval, and a request for playground equipment bids will be issued.
As the parking lot on the east side of the Allison-Jukebox Community Center is serving as a staging area for the project, public parking there is limited to a few spaces for the duration of the project.
Over the next two years, City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) and its contractor, Milestone Contractors, LLP will be reconstructing 1,829 feet of culverts. In addition to stormwater improvements, some reconstruction of sanitary sewers and water main infrastructure will be simultaneously completed to support Bloomington’s vibrant downtown. More information, maps, and updates about the Hidden River Pathway Project are available at www.bloomington.in.gov/utilities/hidden-river.
