Updated: January 2024

Overview 

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has identified the need for an extensive roadway improvement along US 150 / IL 9, from east of I-74 to east of Royal Pointe Drive in Bloomington. The project includes the one-way couple of Locust Street (eastbound) and Empire Street (westbound). IDOT has included funding for the improvement in their multi-year highway improvement program.

The City partners with IDOT through a municipal maintenance agreement to address maintenance of State jurisdiction roadways within the City's corporate limits. The City is responsible for “routine maintenance” of some of the state roads in the community. However, more extensive repairs and improvements, such as the above improvements to US 150 / IL 9, are the responsibility of IDOT. 

Project Description and Schedule

The anticipated work generally consists of milling and resurfacing the pavement, removing and replacing curb and sidewalks in poor condition, upgrading sidewalk curb ramps to current ADA standards, modernizing traffic signal equipment, and adding pedestrian and bicycle accommodations where feasible. Widening or narrowing of the current pavement is generally not anticipated. There may be some minor widening at intersections or other isolated locations.

IDOT completed a Phase I preliminary study to establish general design details for the project as the first step, and they have moved on to the next step of developing construction documents for bidding. The overall project is planned to be split into 4 or 5 construction contracts. 

The first contract includes Market Street, from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to Hinshaw Avenue, and Hinshaw Avenue, from Market Street to Mulberry Street. The contract also includes realigning White Oak Road, from Market Street to Locust Street, and installing pavement markings on Locust Street, from White Oak Road to Hinshaw Avenue. IDOT scheduled the bid opening for March 2024 with plans to start construction soon after. The remaining contracts are anticipated to be bid between 2025 and 2027.

July 2022 Open House

IDOT held a Public Open House in July 2022 and presented their proposed plan for the entire length of the project. The exhibits linked below show the proposed work. Please note that these are preliminary proposals and are subject to change as the final design is completed. The anticipated years of construction shown on the Construction Timeline exhibit were estimates at the time of the meeting and have since been updated.

Proposed Plan I-55 to Hinshaw

 Proposed Plan Hinshaw to Oak

Proposed Plan west of Gettysburg/Williamsburg to Airport

Parking Impacts

One of the key changes proposed with this project is the addition of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along a significant portion of US 150 / IL 9. In some locations, such as east of Towanda Avenue, this is accomplished by building a separate multi-use path along the north side of the road. In other areas, bike lanes are proposed to be added to the existing street. Because IDOT does not anticipate widening the road, adding these bike lanes will sometimes result in the removal of on-street parking. Please click here for a map showing a summary of the changes to parking and additional bike lanes and click here for a table summarizing the changes block by block.

 Based on IDOT’s preliminary plan set and aerial information, the City estimates approximately 17,850 feet of additional bike lanes and a net loss of between 200 and 250 parking spaces associated with the state’s proposed bike lane configuration. US 150 / IL 9 is a state route, and, while the state requests consent from the City, it is not necessary for the project to proceed. The City held a public open house on July 11, 2019, to gain feedback on the proposal in advance of providing a City response to IDOT.  Please click here for the project information handout from this meeting.

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