The state of Illinois is getting $52.8 million in federal money to revamp a six-mile stretch of Route 9 in Bloomington, U.S. transportation officials announced Tuesday.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project includes repaving, curb and gutter replacement and sidewalk and accessibility improvements from Hinshaw Avenue in west Bloomington to Hershey Avenue on the east side.
The project will also include dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bikes.
“There’s a lot of exciting pieces with this Route 9 project that will not only improve the road for the community for vehicles but also for pedestrians and bikes,” Bloomington public works director Kevin Kothe said.
Kothe noted similar work is already planned for a stretch of Route 9 west of Hinshaw, with bidding for the project expected to come early next year.
Kothe said IDOT will install a side path for bikes and pedestrians separate from Route 9 (Empire Street) from Towanda Avenue to Hershey Avenue.
“If somebody wants to use (Empire Street by bike or foot), they either have to ride their bike in a traffic lane or walk along the edge of the road which isn’t good,” Kothe said, adding the side path would include an at-grade crossing at Veterans Parkway.
An added lane of traffic for pedestrians and bikes would be part of the roadway west of Towanda Avenue.
The funding follows years of planning by IDOT, which included a feasibility study and public meetings to gather feedback.
The state will also move the highway away from Lee Street to alleviate highway traffic near Bent Elementary School, which is currently along the route.
“No longer will the heavy trucks and the people following along the state route have to go by Bent school. They’ll actually be able to use Center Street (U.S. 51) to get to Locust (Street),” Kothe explained.
The funding comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law Congress approved two years ago. This year, the federal Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program is awarding funding for 18 projects nationwide.
“The grants we’re announcing today will make transportation in rural communities better, safer, and more reliable,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
The City of Bloomington has a local match to cover new traffic signals for Route 9 intersections with city streets. Kothe says the cost to the city will likely be less than $2 million.
IDOT spokesperson Paul Wappel said the first of five contracts covering the improvements is tentative to be awarded next spring. He said construction is anticipated to start in the first half of 2024 and will be done in phases over the next five years.
