Simply put, the Complete Streets approach to infrastructure maintenance and construction focuses on optimizing the public right-of-way to meet the needs of all users.

Complete Streets may involve adding bicycle and pedestrian accommodations within the right-of-way or improving a separate path and trail system. Complete Streets can also incorporate additional elements that improve the appearance of the area and the overall experience for all users. Examples of these additional elements include providing shade trees and benches for pedestrians, establishing bus stops, installing wayfinding, and placing appropriate lighting.

Bicycle Infrastructure

Bloomington has a commitment to recreational bicycling and walking. It also recognizes bicycling as a mode of transportation. The City Council, City Administration, and Public Works Department are taking steps to better accommodate safe cycling as a mode of transportation. The City Council adopted the Bicycle Master Plan, which outlines the City's policies and plans for bicycle infrastructure.

The Master Plan places value on linkage of schools and neighborhoods, businesses and neighborhoods, Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal, and neighborhoods to other neighborhoods. Foremost, it aims to support the casual adult bicyclist while also taking into account the needs of children cyclists and advanced cyclists. Planners were mindful that national data shows national 27 percent of all car trips are one mile or shorter; 40 percent are less than two miles according to the 2001 National Household Travel Survey.  When cycling conditions are improved, people are more willing to use bikes instead of cars for these short trips—which benefits their health, pocketbooks and surrounding air quality. Besides those who bicycle by choice, there are residents – including children, many teenagers, and some low-income workers – who depend on cycling as a transportation necessity. Click here to view the Bicycle Master Plan.

Click here to visit the Constitution Trail website.

Sidewalks

Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Program

The Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Program is designed to provide for construction of sidewalk ramps that are compliant with standards related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, other sidewalk repairs, and projects in which property owners voluntary enter a 50 percent cost sharing agreement (50/50 Sidewalk Program). The program also funds concrete work related to curb and gutter replacements. To request to participate in the 50/50 Sidewalk Program, see additional details below.

The City is working on its 10-year Sidewalk Master Plan. The funding level and needs will continue to be evaluated. The "Vision 2025" in Bloomington's Strategic Plan foresees a beautiful, family-friendly city. Quality sidewalks provide a piece of the equation, a necessary component to achieve this vision, because they affect walkability and connectivity. Communities with strong walkability and connectivity have healthier and more cohesive neighborhoods where pedestrians routinely traverse, where children walk about safely and where residents gain a stronger sense of neighborhood and civic identity. Further, good sidewalks are  essential to persons with visual impairment, walking impairment, and other disabilities. These are members of the community who, by right and by law, deserve access.

The City needed a framework in order to address the overall quality of sidewalks. A Master Plan for Sidewalks provides that framework. The Department created a rating system based on the PASER system used for evaluating streets. It mapped these ratings along each parcel of property. It weighed the dual goals of safety and accessibility and set a level of service compatible with those goals while also being compatible with Staff-Council strategic planning. Objectives are made within the context of practical funding levels. A Master Plan for Sidewalks serves as the primary guide in the allocation of resources and in addressing maintenance and replacement issues and policy. Click here to view the sidewalk master plan.

Vertical Displacement Repair

The Department uses sidewalk grinding for its vertical displacement repair program. The work entails repairing sidewalk in which two adjoining panels are uneven by grinding to eliminate the displacement. The cost for this type of repair is a fraction of the cost of replacing one of the panels. Previously, grinding has been a pay item in the regular sidewalk contract, and the pay item is in this year’s regular sidewalk contract. However, the City is using grinding as a way to address sidewalk settlement in certain neighborhoods, primarily on the east side, where concrete is in good physical condition but displacement between adjoining sidewalk panels is common.

50/50 Sidewalk Program

The City has miles of public sidewalks in need of repair, and its resources are limited. The Department, therefore, must set priorities. The 50/50 Sidewalk Program provides residential property owners with an opportunity to repair public sidewalks in front of their parcels for half of the total cost, without having to wait for sidewalks to be designated for the City's regular sidewalk repair program. Sidewalks that qualify typically are rated in poor to fair condition. Sidewalks in good condition typically will not qualify for the program. Owners of commercial properties in Bloomington typically are expected to repair their own sidewalks, but the 50/50 program offers an appealing discount. The program is used only for public sidewalks; it is not used for driveway aprons or for walkways between the sidewalk and street (carriage walks).

For additional information, click here to view the Request to Participate in the 50/50 Sidewalk Program form.

School Walking Routes

City staff works with schools to address school safety problems within the City. All school safety problems should be forwarded to the principal of the school. If school officials believe that the issue requires further discussion, they bring those issues to City officials.

The City of Bloomington, in conjunction with school officials, has developed walking route plans for most students walking to public schools within the city. These walking route plans are distributed by School Officials. As a service, the City has included the most recent walking route plans for each of the schools below.

Click here to view an interactive map that shows all school walking routes.

Click here to view a PDF of the Public School Walking Route Overview.

Traffic Calming

Throughout Bloomington, residents have become increasingly aware and concerned about the negative impact speeding vehicles have on their quality of life. They view speeding vehicles, cut-through traffic and associated noise and litter as detrimental to their security, property values, and the livability many have worked so hard to achieve.  

City staff members from Public Works, Police, and Administration work with residents to find potential answers. At times, the answer has been "traffic calming." This is a traffic engineering technique to reduce speeds and includes such items as installation of speed humps. However, the use of traffic calming devices is used only rarely under a defined set of circumstances. Click here for more information on traffic calming, which is available on the Public Works Traffic page.

Grant Applications

Complete Streets Design Standard References

City of Bloomington Complete Streets design standards are derived from A Manual of Practice for the Design of Public Improvements in the City of Bloomington, the below documents, FHWA PEDSAFE, and other relevant guidance, as appropriate. The references are linked below.