• Planning and organization 
• Source assessment 
• BMP selection 
• SWPP Plan implementation 
• SWPP Plan evaluation 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has created a guide entitled "Storm Water Management for Construction Activities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices." It is available by going to http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/owm0307.pdf Back to top

Beginning May 1, 2019, the Local Motor Fuel Tax is an eight cent ($0.08) per gallon tax on the retail sale of Local Motor Fuel [up from four cents ($0.04) previously].

The tax applies to all volatile and inflammable liquids produced, blended, or compounded for the purposes of, or which are suitable or practicable for, operating motor vehicles.

Examples include any gasoline, gasohol, diesel, specialty fuel or other combustible gas.

For further guidance, refer to City Municipal Code, Chapter 39, Article XVIII.

The Local Motor Fuel tax is in addition to the State’s motor fuel tax.

As such, the City's eight cents ($0.08) per gallon Local Motor Fuel tax is levied directly by the City of Bloomington and should be submitted directly each month to the City.

It is the responsibility of any business owner who thinks they may be subject to this tax to implement and remit this tax to the City.

Although the Local Motor Fuel Tax can be passed on to patrons, the business owner is liable for collecting and submitting this tax to the City. Each Business will need to determine the best mechanism for charging and collecting this tax.

To register, use the Local Motor Fuel Tax Registration Form.

Note: The City retains the right to audit the books of any business subject to this tax as outlined in the municipal code.

No. Local Motor Fuel Taxes must be submitted separately from any other tax you may be liable for.

You must use the Local Motor Fuel Tax Remittance Form.

Not at this time. Instead, forms can be downloaded from our website and filled out online where tax can be calculated automatically and printed out.

Not at this time. Instead, either:

1. Mail your form along with a check, or
2. Bring in your form to the Finance Department along with cash or a check.

The Local Motor Fuel Tax must be remitted by the 25th day of the month following the month of collection.

1. If you remit by mail, it must be postmarked by the 25th
2. If you bring in your form to City Hall, we must receive it on the 25th

For example, Local Motor Fuel Taxes collected in the month of August must be remitted on or before the 25th of September.

If taxes are remitted after the 25th of the month:

1. A 5% late payment penalty fee is applied, AND
2. A 2% interest charge for each month payment is not received.

1. Complete the monthly Local Motor Fuel Tax Remittance Form
2. Complete as needed the monthly Multi-location Detail Form
3. Attach support documents [State Forms ST-1, ST-2]
4. Sign the Form
5. Write a check
6. Mail or drop off all documents by the 25th of the month,

1. Identify whether your business is liable to collect and remit Local Motor Fuel Taxes.
2. Register your business with the Finance Department.
3. Collect and remit taxes to the City’s Finance Department.

The City of Bloomington has an "On-Street Parking and Traffic Regulation Amendments" procedure (see below) for requesting parking changes on public streets within the City. This procedure requires that citizens provide certain information to the City. This information can be submitted using the requests/complaints procedure.

Residents desiring a Handicapped Parking Space in front of their residence may also submit their request through the requests/complaints procedure. Additional information required includes either:

• A copy of the Vehicle Registration Card indicating the requesting party lives at the requested address and has been issued a Disabled Veteran or Handicap License Plate, or
• A copy of the Placard and Application submitted to the Secretary of States office indicating that the party lives at the requested address.

On-Street Parking and Traffic Regulation Amendments
The following presents procedures for requesting change of on-street parking within the corporate limits of the City of Bloomington, Illinois.

• At least one of the following conditions should be met before the City considers or initiates a traffic study to determine the merits of a request for a parking change:
  
  
  • A citizen may submit a written letter representing occupants on both sides of the street for which the parking change is requested. The letter should contain signatures (preferably 50%) and addresses of the neighbors or people impacted by a parking or traffic regulation who are interested in supporting the requested change. The letter should be submitted to the Traffic Engineer.
    
    
  • The Director of Public Works, Police or Fire Departments may initiate a parking or traffic regulation change on behalf of the City if they determine that it is in the best interest of the community to implement or modify such regulations.
    
    
• After such letter has been received by the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, the City’s traffic engineering staff will study the matter and evaluate the merits of a request, taking into consideration the following general factors: public safety, traffic congestion, vehicular and pedestrian access, street maintenance, neighborhood and citywide needs, etc.
  
  
• Notification Process for Parking Change: It shall be the policy of the City of Bloomington to give adequate notice to the occupants of adjacent property when the removal of on-street parking or the modification of time limits is being contemplated. Notification of owners will not be necessary when a limited number (one or two) spaces are being eliminated at intersections because of sight distance concerns or if a new street is being constructed subject to restrictions as approved by the City Council.
  
  Notice is not required if the changes are being made in accordance with an agreement between the City and adjacent property occupants and/or owners. When specific locations are being considered for change, the following procedures will be utilized:
  
  
  • The matter will be discussed at the next City meeting.
  • If it is deemed necessary the City will notify adjacent property occupants, City Manager and City Council that a proposal has been received or that the City is contemplating a change in on-street parking regulations.
  • After allowing two weeks for comment, a recommendation which will be transmitted to the City Manager.
  • The City Manager’s office will notify the City Council of the Engineer’s recommendation, his assessment of that recommendation and the action that will result from the study. Following the City Manager’s notice to proceed, the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department will send a second notice to adjacent property owners informing them of the results of the City’s study, what action will be taken, and when that action will occur. A minimum of seven (7) days notice is necessary before actual changes are made. A copy of this notice will be sent to the City Manager and City Council.

Parking Violations
Parking Violations are managed by the Police Department.

• Appeal a parking ticket
• Pay for a parking ticket

Requests or Complaints
Complaints of speeding problems may be reported to the City by using the Non-Emergency Traffic Request/Complaint Form or reported by phone to the Police Department at 309-820-8888. All speeding complaints received in writing will be discussed by staff at the next regularly recurring meeting.

Questions
Questions concerning Speed Limits should be submitted through the  Non-Emergency Traffic Request/Complaint Form. The Engineering Division of the Public Works Department will only investigate altering a speed limit if it is determined that some type of unusual condition exists for the section of street in question. Conditions that typically exist in residential areas (e.g. large number of children, vehicles parking on-street etc.) do not constitute unusual conditions.

Speed Studies
A speed study takes into account the actual speed being driven by individual vehicles. Using the data collected; the 85th percentile and the 10 MPH pace speed upper limit are calculated. The resulting prevailing speed can be adjusted by taking into account on street parking, high numbers of crashes, pedestrians, and the number of conflicting driveways and side streets.

Requests for speed studies can be made using the  Non-Emergency Traffic Request/Complaint Form.  The City will consider a request to study a particular road segment no more than once per year and only if the conditions which affect the study have changed since the prior speed study. 

State and Federal Speed Limit Regulations
There are several "standard" or statutory speed limits established by law in the State of Illinois, such as 30 MPH in urban areas, 55 MPH in rural areas and 70 MPH on rural Interstates. Any other speed limit posting is considered an altered speed zone.

The City utilizes the Illinois Department of Transportation Policy on Establishing Speed Limits to establish altered speed limits.

In addition, the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices defines an altered Speed Zone as a speed limit, other than a statutory speed limit, that is based upon an engineering study.

The Transportation Engineering Section investigates request/complaints concerning Signing or Sight Distance Obstructions.

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. More information on this technique, and how it is used in the City of Bloomington, is listed below.

Submitting Requests and Complaints
Requests for traffic evaluation and traffic related complaints may be initiated by individual citizens, neighborhood associations, City government officials, or other groups. Requests for traffic evaluations or complaints of chronic speeding, cut-through traffic, parking, signage, or other traffic-related problems occurring on Bloomington streets should be submitted in writing to the City of Bloomington Public Works Engineering Division using the request/complaint process. The City Engineer exercises discretion in resolving requests and complaints and forwards unresolved issues.

What is Traffic Calming?
"Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users." (Institute of Transportation Engineers). Traffic calming improvements typically incorporate any combination of the following features:

• Changes in horizontal and/or vertical alignment of the roadway.
• Roadway or lane narrowing.
• Changes of roadway surface texture or color.
• Aesthetic improvements using landscape materials for enhanced streetscapes.

• Improve the quality of life within neighborhoods.
• Increase safety and convenience for pedestrians and bicyclists, as long as such changes do not interfere with the safe operation of intended users of the roadways.
• Create attractive streetscapes.
• Reduce negative effects of automobile travel.
• Reduce the number and severity of automobile collisions.

• Reduction in the speed of motor vehicle traffic on residential areas to below a 15 percent violation rate (VR).
• Reduction in the volume of traffic traveling through residential areas.
• Causing unnecessary cut-through traffic to instead use streets designated as collector or arterial streets.
• Promote other modes of travel (walking, cycling, mass transit).

Traffic Coalming Procedure
City staff members have examined many different calming techniques. They recognize that Bloomington's neighborhoods are all unique and require a variety of traffic calming techniques to address differing traffic conditions. Regardless of the type of traffic calming device sought, a uniform procedure is set for requesting, evaluating, designing, authorizing, and building traffic control devices on Bloomington streets. That procedure is set forth below. 

Traffic Calming Criteria
Traffic calming criteria have been established by the City Administration and may be revised from time to time by City Administration.

• If the street is identified as a "collector" or "arterial" street on the BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL STREET AND HIGHWAY PLAN.
• If the average traffic volume is greater than 2,000 vehicles/day (ADT).
• If the average traffic volume is less than 900 vehicles/day (ADT).
• If the average violation rate (VR) of the statutory or posted speed limit is less than or equal to 25 percent.
• If the 85th Percentile speed for the study segment is less than 5 MPH over the posted or statutory speed limit.
• If building lots in the study area are not built out to at least 90 percent of available lots.
  
  ** Note: Any of the above defined conditions can be waived by a reviewing group of staff members, and waivers will be included in documentation.

Evaluation of Traffic Conditions
Traffic calming requests which pass preliminary review will proceed to the evaluation phase. If not already collected, relevant traffic data is collected during the evaluation phase. When the data reveals that traffic calming criteria have been met, the appropriate type of traffic calming technique is determined by City staff. If the criteria are not met, these locations may be reevaluated upon request one year following the date of the data collection upon which the most recent request or complaint was rejected for traffic calming.

The evaluation phase involves the collection of data including street classification, volume, speed, traffic crash history, and other relevant information. This information gets collected and evaluated by the Engineering Division of Public Works Department. Engineering recommends a specific traffic calming device, and a staff committee reviews the findings.

Diversion Analysis
If significant traffic diversion is anticipated, the staff prepares a diversion analysis. Based upon the diversion analysis, if staff committee determines that the proposed traffic calming improvements are expected to create equal or greater traffic problems on another residential street the traffic calming device(s) will not be installed. In instances in which significant diversion is not an issue, the proposed traffic calming design will be used as the basis for the traffic calming ballot.

Public Meeting
The City will host a public meeting to discuss the proposed traffic calming design for the area under study. Other residents and business owners in areas adjacent to the study area may also be specifically invited. However, voting on the proposal is limited.

Traffic Calming Vote
A super-majority of affected property owners is required for traffic calming installation to proceed.

Ballots only go to property owners whose lots are contiguous to the street segment(s) upon which traffic calming devices are proposed to be installed and property owners whose lots lie on an intersecting street and who would have to pass over the traffic calming devices to access their property. In order to assess support for the installation of the proposed traffic calming improvements, a mailed ballot system is used. 

Passage of a traffic calming initiative requires at least 70% of the returned traffic calming ballots be marked in support of the initiative. To be counted, mailed ballots must be returned within 14 days of the postmarked mailing date.

Device Construction
When a traffic calming initiative passes, the construction phase begins. Engineering staff in the Public Works Department will finalize the design approved by the eligible voters, and add the project to the list of existing traffic calming projects Construction of traffic calming improvements will ordinarily be done in the order they are approved, absent extenuating circumstances.

The number of traffic calming projects installed each year depends on the availability of City resources. Projects will be ranked in the spring of the year, and neighborhood associations will then be informed in writing by the City of their project's ranking and given an opportunity to comment. Based on these comments, a priority ranking list will be presented to the City Manager for final approval.

Device Maintenance and Replacement
Traffic calming devices such as speed humps and traffic circles, like any other part of the road require maintenance and eventual replacement. The City has been installing and maintaining traffic calming devices since 1998. Time has shown that some traffic calming devices are easier and more cost effective to install and maintain. Some types of traffic calming devices remain effective as a traffic calming tool while other types deteriorate, become an eye sore, and in general lose their ability to command respect and be an effective traffic calming device.

The City has determined the hot mix asphalt speed hump to be the most durable, low cost and low maintenance of the traffic calming devices installed since the beginning of the City’s traffic calming program. The humps last as long as the wearing surface of the street they are on and have been easily replaced when the streets are resurfaced. For this reason, the City of Bloomington reserves the right to replace other types of traffic calming devices with a speed hump when that device has completed its useful life or needs to be removed as a part of another project or for utility maintenance.

Changing to a different type of Traffic Calming Device shall require the following:

1. A written recommendation for a change in device type from the City Engineer to a staff committee reviewing the situation. 
2. Written notice to affected residents living within, at most, 350 feet of the calming device in question. Staff will consider written responses from residents prior to making a final decision.
3. A recommended change from the staff committee.

Device Removal Process
Traffic calming improvements may be removed from a street segment through a successful neighborhood petition. To be successful, this process requires approval of at least 90% of property owners of lots whose owners were eligible to vote on the original traffic calming initiative. The removal process may not be started until the improvements have been in place for at least a one year (365 day) period.

C85 is a restorative seal that is intended for asphalt that has deteriorated beyond the point that Reclamite alone is an effective treatment method for the surface. C85 is a petroleum-based emulsion product that is covered in lime screenings in order to mend the asphalt surface, sealing cracks and filling in voids. The product is designed to be kneaded into the surface by vehicular traffic once it has been applied. C85 is designed to maintain its flexibility over time, which helps to reduce cracking and weathering. C85 is used for preventative maintenance of pavements middle age to old showing moderate to heavier signs of distress. The benefits of C85 include the following:

• Helps rejuvenate pavement
• Seals cracks
• Fills pavement voids providing a smoother surface
• Seals pavement from further oxidation & weathering

Click here for more information about C85 pavement preservation from the City’s vendor, Corrective Asphalt Materials.

Applying a chip seal is a two-step process that includes applying an asphalt emulsion before applying a layer of small, crushed rocks or "chips" to an existing pavement surface. While this is a process that is typically used on rural roads or in smaller communities, it can be used effectively in some areas in larger communities. City staff have researched various pavement preservation products via site visits of current and previously treated roadways in other municipalities and have concluded that this system is an effective method to extend the useful life of our paved roads in limited quantities and specific areas. It is significantly cheaper than resurfacing, though not as long-lasting.

According to Donelson Construction Company, the City’s vendor for this type of slurry seal pavement preservation, the PressurePave system is one of the most versatile tools in the pavement preservation industry. Able to preserve pavements many would consider to be candidates for mill and overlay, this hybrid system pressure injects a crack sealant into the pavement while simultaneously applying a thin asphalt overlay. This system is more efficient and cost-effective than many other pavement preservation options. With a price that can be significantly less than the cost of a mill and asphalt overlay, and a 10+ year average surface life, the life cycle cost is ideal for public and private agencies wishing to cut costs or double the number of roadways able to be treated. Click here for more information about PressurePave pavement preservation from the City’s vendor, Donelson Construction Company.

• Improves durability and flexibility
• Slows the aging process
• Helps prevent raveling, stripping, and fatigue cracking
• Restores the cohesive ability of the asphalt cement to retain aggregate
• Seals the surface in-depth
• Can extend pavement life up to 40 percent

Click here for more information about Reclamite pavement preservation from the City’s vendor, Corrective Asphalt Materials.

Prior to widespread utilization of Reclamite and C85 in Bloomington, City staff researched pavement preservation products and performed field testing to compare Reclamite and a promising competitor. City staff also researched and tested the use of C85. The field test locations are still monitored periodically by staff. This research and the test location results have been used to determine that Reclamite and C85 remain staff’s recommended pavement preservation products. The photos below show how the asphalt pavement is rejuvenated by the C85 product. The photos are showing the difference in the pavement years after the application. The operation preserved the pavement from crumbling away.

More recently, City staff researched additional pavement preservation products via site visits of current and previously treated roadways in other municipalities and has concluded that PressurePave pavement preservation and Chip Seal pavement preservation are two additional effective methods for extending the useful life of our paved roads in limited quantities and specific areas.

Staff has found that pavement preservation protects the City’s investment in roadwork by using the “keep your good roads good” strategy. Using pavement preservation helps limited road funding dollars go much further and reduces the annualized cost of paving and/or resurfacing.

Staff install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. Parking restrictions will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the dates specified on each sign. Once the pavement preservation is installed, driveway access on each street will be restricted for up to 30 minutes, unless there is an emergency.

Where C85 is applied, there will be a heavier application of oil and aggregate. This material will cause some stickiness and dust. Drive slowly and use alternate routes when possible. This will be swept after a few days. The material won’t harm vehicles and will fade away as the oil penetrates the pavement.

City staff or contractors will install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. City staff or contractors will also distribute notices to each property that provides dates and additional information prior to the start of the work on each street.

Typically, contractors will clean/sweep the pavement prior to starting chip seal operations. Once the pavement has been cleaned, the contractor will coat the roadway with a thin layer of asphalt emulsion, followed by a layer of crushed stone and aggregate. This aggregate will then be compacted into the emulsion by means of a rubber tire roller to ensure that the aggregate sets into and covers the asphalt. The roadway is typically swept again after several days to remove excess aggregate that did not adhere to the asphalt. Some of the areas in this project will also get a second layer of asphalt and aggregate applied in the same manner, as well as a third lighter layer of asphalt emulsion known as a fog seal. This method of pavement preservation is typically reapplied after 3-5 years depending on the wearing pattern of traffic on the surface.

City staff or contractors will install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. City staff or contractors will distribute notices to each property that provides dates and additional information prior to the start of the work on each street.

While application is occurring, please expect delays. There will be an orange traffic cone placed at the edge of each driveway the day before construction indicating that contractors will be working on that street the next day. The cone will be moved to the center of each driveway indicating fresh oil is present. The material usually takes an hour to cure before people can drive on them. The cones are sometimes left longer in a driveway and intersection to control traffic and to keep cars from turning around in driveways and the roadway.

Donelson Construction Company will provide traffic coordinators throughout the area to assist with traffic and to inform residents where it is safe to drive and to park. PLEASE stop and ask them for assistance.

Please make sure all lawn irrigation systems are turned off, as water will damage fresh material. Please notify any lawn care, maid services, remodeling contractors, etc., working on your property of the work being done. If you have a basketball hoop that is in the street or overhangs the curb line, please pull it back to ensure it is not damaged.

Please make sure you have all vehicles out of the roadway. City staff or contractors will attempt to contact the owners of vehicles remaining on the roadway during scheduled construction, but they will be towed if the owner cannot be contacted. We ask that there be no parking on the roadway overnight after the road has been completed to allow the material to fully cure.

Please help us out as you enter and leave your driveway by not sitting still on the new material as you turn your steering wheel. Even though the material has cured enough to drive on, it needs to cure more before tires can be turned or twisted on top of the material. This may damage the new material and will leave permanent marks. If you do need to turn the steering wheel while on top of the material, such as when reversing out of a driveway, make sure your vehicle is in motion first before turning the steering wheel.

Staff install temporary “No Parking” signs the week of the work on each street. Parking restrictions will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the dates specified on each sign. Once the pavement preservation is installed, driveway access on each street will be restricted for up to 30 minutes, unless there is an emergency.

Where Reclamite is applied, there may be aggregate that sticks to the tires and heard hitting the wheel wells of the car. This will last a few weeks until the material is fully cured.

Click here to view the Utility Fees page for more information on sanitary sewer fees.

Sanitary sewer fees help pay for capital improvements to ensure safe and reliable service from the sanitary sewer infrastructure maintained by the City of Bloomington. These capital improvements are outlined in the Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Master Plans, which is a set of documents that take an in-depth look at existing conditions and needs.

Sanitary sewer fees are included as a separate line item on your utility bill. For more information about your utility bill, click here to visit Utility Billing.

 Sanitary Sewer Smoke Test Flyer

Superior Smoke MSDS

The City will not select, recommend, or contact a plumber for you. You have a responsibility to mitigate your damages as soon as possible. For insurance purposes, it is advisable to document any damage and take photographs prior to beginning clean-up but if unable, you should not wait to begin sanitizing your home.

If you have a sewer backup and do not know where the blockage is, you should contact the City before contacting a drain cleaning company. You may be able to avoid an unnecessary charge if the problem is in the City’s sewer line rather than in your property’s service line. A Public Works employee will determine if the problem is in the City’s line or in your property’s service line.

Don’t contaminate the system. Sanitary sewer systems are designed to carry human waste and wastewater to water treatment facilities. Foreign objects and substances intentionally introduced into the sewer have damaging affects. Kitchen grease accumulates and causes blockages and should never be poured down the drain. The same is true for motor oil and other automotive fluids. Do not flush diapers, sanitary napkins, paper towels, shop rags, or anything else the sewer system is not designed to handle. These types of items regularly clog sewers in urban areas, and often cause sewer back-ups not just for the offending party, but also in neighboring homes.

Report illegal connections. Gutters, sump pumps and other storm water management systems should never be routed to a sanitary sewer. If you become aware of such a connection, immediately sever the connection and/or report the connection to the City of Bloomington Public Works Department at 309-434-2225.

Install a back-flow preventer. A back-flow preventer is a one-way valve device designed to prevent sanitary sewer overflows. If you have a back-flow preventer installed on your sewer line, you must be aware that it is designed to close when the sewer is flowing beyond its capacity, as can occasionally occur during a heavy rainfall. If you use your internal drains while the backflow valve is closed, you can create a flooding situation in your own home. Do not use your laundry machine, dishwasher, shower, or bath and minimize the use of sinks and toilets. You must also be aware of your back-flow preventer’s maintenance requirements to ensure that it continues to function properly. As with any privately owned system, it is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that these components are maintained and functioning properly.

Participate in the Overhead Sewer Grant Program. The Overhead Sewer Grant Program is run through the City’s Economic and Community Development Department. With overhead, a residential sewer service leaves the home just below ground level. Water from basement bathrooms and utilities must be pumped up to ground level. Click here to learn more about the Overhead Sewer Grant Program.

Due to the nature of a sewer system, it is not always reasonable or in the community’s best interest for the City to reimburse property owners in the event they experience damage from a sewer back-up. Every incident must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in order to determine if the City has any liability for the damage and responsibility to reimburse. Citizens are highly encouraged to maintain an insurance policy that covers instances of sanitary sewer overflow or back-up.

If you do decide to request reimbursement from the City for damages incurred, contact the Public Works Department during normal working hours at 309-434-2225, and ask for the City of Bloomington’s Third Party Administrator (TPA) contact information. All requests for reimbursement will be filed with the City’s TPA insurance carrier. The City considers all determinations made by the insurance carrier to be final.

Two common techniques are use of a water jet and “rodding.” Rodding involves sending a cleaning tool through the line with a long metal rod. Additional information is included below.

Rodding: Sewer Lateral Maintenance

Used to Clear Obstructions in Sewer Laterals and Pipes

A sewer lateral is the pipe that connects a building's plumbing to the sanitary sewer.

Normal maintenance of sewer laterals includes the removal of dirt, leaves, diapers, or tree roots. Debris and discarded materials are generally removed by jetting water through the pipes, or by rodding, which uses a motor to insert a steel rod through the lateral and rotating a cleaning device attached to the end of the rod,

Sewer lining is a process of rehabilitating a sewer. Bloomington uses it because it is proven effective and efficient. It is affordable, saving millions of dollars compared to a more time consuming process of excavating, removing old sewer, and laying new pipe.

Think of a large tube sock. The sock, or the liner, is pushed through the sewer pipe with steam, water, or air. The liner clings to the side of the pipe. It then cures and hardens, forming a fiberglass-like shell coating the old sewer pipe. The liner becomes a pipe inside a pipe. The City expects a liner to last several decades. It is the primary method of sewer rehabilitation envisioned in the Bloomington sewer master plan, which was created by a team of specialists and adopted by the City Council on September 14, 2015.

Click here to view the Utility Fees page for more information on storm water fees.

Storm Water Fees may be split between tenants using the following criteria:

1. The fees must be split evenly between all tenants
2. House Meter and No Tenant Meters - all fees on House Meter
3. House Meter and Tenant Meters:
   1.  Fees evenly split between all meters, including Tenant and House Meter or
   2. Fees evenly split between all TENANT meters, no fees to HM
4. Tenant Meters Only - Fees split evenly to all Tenant Meters

This storm water manhole could be a major problem for the cleanliness and transfer of water, and could result in flooding if not properly maintained.

Currently, the City of Bloomington Public Works Department maintains the storm water sewers by means of a calculated household fee; see our page on Storm Water Rates for additional information about how the fee is calculated.  Without these fees, work on the storm water sewer systems would be unfunded and might not be completed before problems arise.

The City of Bloomington also regulates construction projects in terms of how they control storm water runoff and erosion.  Several ordinances have been passed to that end, and the Bloomington Manual of Practice describes in detail how erosion needs to be managed by the builder.  The City sends out inspectors to all sites in town to ensure that erosion is being properly managed over the course of the construction. Violations will be issued only after a warning and a second inspection fails to meet the requirements. 

Additionally, the City provides a Street Sweeping service to disrupt, minimize, and eliminate the infiltration of pollutants into storm water runoff. Storm water runoff frequently has high levels of sediment, litter, phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals, oil, grease, and other materials, all dangerous to public health if left unchecked in the water supply. A study on how effective street sweeping is for the removal of these pollutants found that they indeed contributed a great deal to cleaner runoff. Details on this study can be found here in PDF format.

If you notice signs of storm water pollution in the form of illicit discharges, poor erosion control practices, or other pollution, please contact the Public Works Department immediately at 309-434-2225. If the Public Works Department is closed, please call the Bloomington Police Department's non-emergency number at 309-820-8888.

1. Sediment from soil erosion

2. Construction materials and waste, such as paint, solvents, concrete, and drywall

3. Spilled oil, fuel, and other fluid from equipment and vehicles

4. Discharge from sewer pipe dewatering or bypass pumping

5. Discharge of heavily chlorinated water from water main flushing

1. Mud tracking onto the street or the City right-of-way

2. Damaged or missing silt fence

3. Clogged or missing storm sewer inlet filters

4. Concrete truck washing out into storm sewers

5. Oil or fuel spills

6. Trash or debris leaving a site  

1. Paint, solvents, and detergents

2. Automotive fluids

3. Chlorinated pool water

4. Excess yard waste

5. Fertilizers and pesticides

6. Debris, such as plastic bags, six-pack rings, and bottles

7. Pet waste

1. Paint, oil, or chemicals dumping into a storm sewer

2. Sump pump discharging water that is sudsy, discolored, or odorous

3. Discoloration around storm sewer inlet

4. Grease in a storm sewer

Public Works uses a complicated set of criteria and ratings to decide which street should be resurfaced. Every street is inspected at least once every three years. Some streets will be resurfaced, some receive permanent patches to hold them over, and some will be delayed.. The Department is meticulous in logging street conditions. Click here to see an interactive map with current street conditions.

Arterial and secondary streets, which are used more frequently, have a higher priority in the City of Bloomington. These main streets are more expensive to maintain and quickly exhaust the budget in typical years. As a result, resurfacing is delayed for residential/local streets. However, patching is still performed on residential/local streets. Additional funding is needed in order to keep up with City streets.

During resurfacing in recent years, City has preferred asphalt pavement over concrete pavement. Asphalt overlays, while shorter-lived, tend to be more predictable in terms of durability. They are also less expensive up-front. Public Works has found that concrete pavement has less predictable durability – and this holds true regardless of the contractor. Concrete pavement costs more up-front. In addition, if concrete pavement breaks down, it is more expensive to repair and maintain.

A year after a street is resurfaced, city contractors apply a sealant called Reclamite. This is also done immediately after a street is resurfaced. Using this technique the pavement should last 50 percent longer than those that are not treated with Reclamite. It is similar to putting a water seal on a wooden deck. More information on this process can be found in the Pavement Preservation section.

Most street light maintenance is performed by Ameren Illinois or Corn Belt Energy. The City of Bloomington maintains ornamental street lights and parts of Corn Belt Energy street lights. The best way to report a street light outage is to contact your electricity provider, which is one of the two providers listed below:

Ameren Illinois
1-800-755-5000
www.ameren.com

Corn Belt Energy
309-664-9265
309-662-5330
www.cornbeltenergy.com

Streetlights are generally installed by developers. To ask specifically about streetlights in your neighborhood, please put your request in writing with location details and mail to City of Bloomington, Engineering Division, PO Box 3157, Bloomington IL  61702 or email to publicworks@cityblm.org  or fax to (309)434-2201.

The City Electricians are responsible for the ornamental lights in the city. They also maintain the pole, underground wire, fixtures and globes on Corn Belt Energy lights. Corn Belt Energy maintains the lamp and photocell. Ameren Illinois handles all issues with their lights.

Different styles of light work at different color temperatures. The white lights use a mercury vapor or metal halide lamp while the orange lights use a high-pressure sodium lamp.

This indicates a high-pressure sodium lamp (orange light) is nearing the end of its life.

Older streetlights rust and need to be painted. The new standards both for the City and across the country specify aluminum flutes or galvanized poles that don’t require painting.

Please report it to the utility company about a possible solution.

Crosswalks
Crosswalk markings at signalized intersections and across intersection approaches on
which traffic stops, serve primarily to guide pedestrians in the proper paths. Crosswalk
markings across roadways on which traffic is not controlled by traffic signals or stop
signs must also serve to warn the motorist of a pedestrian crossing point. A crosswalk
should consist of 2-6" wide lines that are parallel and 6' apart. Crosswalks should only
be painted at the following locations: 

1. At all approved school crossings 
2. At all signalized intersections equipped with pedestrian signal heads.
3. At all intersections within the Central Business District.
4. At other approved high pedestrian volume locations.
5. At locations where a specific hazard exists.

Crosswalk lines should not be used indiscriminately. An engineering study is required
before crosswalks may be installed at locations away from traffic signals or stop signs.
Midblock crosswalks should not be allowed.

High Visibility Crosswalks
For added visibility, the area of the crosswalk may be marked with white longitudinal
lines. This type of marking is intended for use at locations where substantial numbers
of pedestrians cross without any other traffic control device, at locations where physical
conditions are such that added visibility of the crosswalk is desired or at places where
a pedestrian crosswalk may not be expected. These High Visibility Crosswalks consist
of 2-6" wide parallel lines located 6 - 10' apart, with 1' wide longitudinal lines located on
3' centers. High Visibility crosswalks used to mark locations where multi-use trails
cross streets should be the width of the paved trail surface or 10' whichever is greater.
High Visibility crosswalks may also be used for additional emphasis where multi-use
trails cross high volume commercial driveways.

High Visibility Crosswalks should be painted at the following locations: 

1. At all adult crossing guard locations. 
2. At other school crossing locations that are not protected by stop signs.
3. At all midblock pedestrian crossings.
4. At all multi-use trail crossings.
5. At other locations where additional emphasis is needed.

The City of Bloomington Public Works Department operates a coordinated traffic signal system throughout the city. Coordinating traffic signals involves connecting them so they work together to provide motorists with green lights as they progress down the street. While you may find yourself waiting a minute or two on a side street, coordinated traffic signals provide the following benefits to Bloomington’ motorists:

• Overall delay experienced by motorists waiting at signals is reduced.
• The number of stops experienced by motorists is reduced.
• Motorists are grouped in platoons traveling at equal speeds.
• There are fewer rear-end accidents because motorists are stopped less.
• There are fewer right-angle accidents because of less red light running.
• There is less traffic cutting through neighborhoods to avoid signals.
  While it would be nice to be able to do so, it is impossible to time the signals so that no driver gets a red light. Here are some reasons you may be seeing red.
• If you are hitting a number of lights on red, you may be able to get more green lights by adjusting your speed. For example, if you are driving too fast, since the signals are timed for motorists traveling near the speed limit, you may be getting more than your fair share of red lights. See if by slowing down below the speed limit you find yourself getting more green lights.
• If signals are spaced closely together, it is difficult to achieve progression.
• When traffic is very heavy such as driving during rush hour, the signals may be timed to favor the peak direction of travel. If you are traveling against the peak direction of traffic, you may hit more red lights.
• If you turn onto a major street, you may hit a red light or two (perhaps even three) before you get into the "green band" and find yourself in synchronization with the timing plans.

In order to answer this, traffic engineers ask and answer a series of questions:

• Are there so many vehicles on both streets that signal controls are necessary to assign the right-of-way or relieve congestion?
• Is the traffic on the main street so consistently heavy that drivers on the side street must try to cross when it is unsafe?
• Are there so many pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street that confusing, congested, or hazardous conditions result?
• Are there so many school age children trying to cross the street at the same times that they need special controls for their protection?
• If there are a significant number of school age children, is a signal the best solution?
• Are signals at this location going to help drivers maintain a uniform pace along the major street without being stopped unnecessarily?
• Does the collision history indicate that a signal will reduce the probability of driver actions which cause a collision?
• Is the character of the minor street such that additional traffic attracted by the existence of a signal desirable to the adjacent neighborhood?
• Is there a combination of the above conditions, which indicates that a traffic signal will result in an improvement rather than a detriment?

To aid in answering these questions, engineers compare the existing facts and conditions to nationally accepted guidelines. These guidelines (called "warrants") were established using observations throughout the country over many years. Where the established guidelines are met, traffic signals generally operate effectively and safety is improved. When the guidelines are not met, additional hazards result. Unnecessary traffic signals increase congestion, waste tax money, increase pollution and breed disrespect for other forms of traffic control. More importantly, however, signals in the wrong locations fail to provide safety and protection to anyone.

A stop sign is one of our most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection to decide who has the right-of-way. One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop, or by causing such an inconvenience as to force the traffic to use other routes. Where stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers," there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles do not stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign, and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections. For these reasons, it should not be used as a speed control device.

Most drivers are reasonable and prudent with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations; however, when an unreasonable restriction is imposed, it may result in flagrant violations. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. Well-developed, nationally recognized guidelines help to indicate when such controls become necessary. These guidelines take into consideration traffic volume and accident histories in addition to other factors.

First, many studies conducted over several decades in all parts of the country have shown that a driver's speed is influenced more by the appearance of the roadway and the prevailing traffic conditions than it is by the posted speed limit.

Second, some drivers will obey the lower posted speed while others will feel it's unreasonable and simply ignore it. This disrupts the uniform traffic flow and increases accident potential between the faster and slower drivers.

Third, when traffic is traveling at different speeds, the number of breaks in traffic to permit safe crossing is reduced. Pedestrians also have greater difficulty in judging the speed of approaching vehicles.
Speed limits should always be based on traffic engineering surveys that include an analysis of roadway conditions, accident records and the prevailing speed of prudent drivers. When these conditions indicate a lower speed limit might be beneficial, then they can be posted and the desired results obtained.

Yes. A Quiet Zone does not mean you will never hear train horns. The name Quiet Zone means that train crews will not regularly blow the horn as a warning of the train’s approach to the crossings. There are numerous reasons you may hear a train horn.

• The crossing warning devices (lights, bells and gates) are malfunctioning
• The warning devices are out-of-service for repair, testing, or maintenance
• Railroad or contract employees are working on or near the tracks
• The train crew may sound a warning to animals, vehicle operators, pedestrians, trespassers, crews on other trains
• Passenger train crews may sound their horn upon arrival to a station to alert passengers standing too close to the platform
• Passenger trains may sound the horn to alert passengers of departure
• The engineer believes such action is appropriate in order to prevent imminent injury, death, or property damage

The Quiet Zone does not limit the use of locomotive bells that ring as the train goes through the crossing. These bells are an additional safety measure. Also, in a Quiet Zone, each public crossing must be equipped with functioning flashing lights, ringing bells, and gates that lower to temporarily close the road. Again, Federal law requires that these warning devices are working as intended.

The FRA’s Train Horn Final Rule (49CFR222) went into effect on June 24, 2005. Along with establishing a national protocol for horn use, it enables communities to establish quiet zones by reducing the risk caused by lack of horns. The rule identifies several ways communities may silence the regular use of horns at crossings.

One way is by installing safety improvements which may include a combination of railroad gates, flashers, upgraded railroad circuitry, raised medians, and other engineered solutions that provide visual, audible and physical warnings that a train is approaching. Four-quadrant gates, which are present throughout Bloomington, are approved safety measures that reduce risk at crossings by blocking all lanes of highway traffic.

Click here to view the FRA's webpage on The Train Horn Rule and Quiet Zones.

Trains have sounded horns or whistles as they approach crossings as a safety measure for more than a century. In the 1980's, Florida imposed a horn ban and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) noted a significant increase in grade crossing accidents. As a result, over the years, the FRA and Congress have developed rules requiring that trains sound their horn at all highway crossings nationwide.

The Federal rule enacted in 2005 requires that railroad employees must blow the horn 15-20 seconds prior to occupying a public highway-rail crossing. The Federal rule specifies the volume, length, and pattern of the sound of train horns.

Unfortunately, the City of Bloomington does not have a complaint process for alleged excessive train horn noise for these crossings. However, you can file a Violation Report with the Federal Railway Administration (FRA), which is the federal government agency that oversees railroads. The Federal rule enacted by the Federal Railway Administration in 2005 requires that railroad employees must blow the horn 15-20 seconds prior to occupying any public highway-rail crossing at any time of day. The Federal rule specifies the volume, length, and pattern of the sound of train horns. If you believe the train operator is in violation of this rule, the Violation Report is the best method for filing a complaint.

In order to complete the form, the FRA requests the location and railroad owner. In order to find this information, you can input your address or the address near the alleged violation into the FRA's interactive map, which is available at: http://fragis.fra.dot.gov/GISFRASafety/. In Bloomington, the two railroads are Union Pacific (north/south) and Norfolk Southern (east/west). The map also shows crossing numbers, crossing data, and mile posts.  The crossings where train operators use a horn are marked with yellow dots on the map. The number next to these dots is the crossing number, which you may need to include in your report. You can use these crossing numbers to indicate where the alleged violation occurred.