Commission sends Indiana Avenue safety concept back to staff after objections over bike-lane gap

The Bloomington Transportation Commission voted 6–0 to refer the Indiana Avenue Safety Improvements concept back to staff for further refinements after commissioners and members of the public raised safety and connectivity concerns.

Commissioner Flaherty moved the referral, saying he did not "agree with the staff proposed findings" and asked staff to better align the concept with the commission's criteria, including the transportation plan's call for protected bike lanes and elimination of the so-called "double threat" pedestrian crossing risk. Commissioner Binder seconded the motion; a roll-call vote passed unanimously.

Staff presented the corridor project as the product of two years of outreach and technical study. Hank Duncan, Safe Streets program manager, said the corridor between Smith and 10th is on the city's Safe Streets priority network and listed pedestrian counts collected during a 2024 review: "Within the hours of noon to 1 on 10/03/2024, we saw 400 vehicles pass through this intersection. In that same time, we saw 1,100 pedestrians pass through this intersection." The project goals stated by staff were to increase safety for all users, improve connectivity, create an accessible corridor, and increase downtown vibrancy.

Staff described three high-level concepts presented to the public: (a) a one-lane northbound street with a two-way protected bike lane, (b) converting Indiana Avenue to a two-way street with bike accommodations, and (c) a transit-mall-style concept in a short downtown segment. After rounds of outreach staff said they received mixed feedback and that Indiana University raised operational concerns about reducing the corridor to one motor-vehicle lane.

Project engineer Kendall Kenoki reviewed the preferred concept now before the commission: a hybrid that preserves two motor-vehicle lanes through 3rd–7th to accommodate operational needs near campus while providing protected bike infrastructure in other segments and raised intersections at key crosswalks. Kenoki said the design attempts to balance loading, parking, bus operations and pedestrian safety.

Public commentators pushed back sharply on the revised concept. Greg Alexander, a resident who spoke during public comment, said the proposal would leave disconnected bike facilities and "will cause lawless and dangerous and frightening behavior," urging the commission to vote against the plan. Other speakers urged staff to pursue continuous protected bike lanes and to prioritize Vision Zero safety objectives over stakeholder opposition.

Commissioners focused much of their questioning and debate on the two-block gap between 3rd and Kirkwood, where the proposed two-way protected bike lane ends and cyclists would be expected to detour. Staff described potential detour routes and operational mitigations (e.g., flex curbside zones for loading, a long bus pull-off north of Kirkwood, signalization at problem intersections), and said the city has considered constructing the corridor with temporary, quick-build materials so the design can be tested and adjusted before permanent construction: "We could also do this with temporary materials," staff said, proposing a pilot approach.

Despite staff's presentation of mitigations, multiple commissioners said the current design did not meet the transportation plan's stated priorities. Flaherty said the commission should hold the project to its adopted criteria and asked staff to return with refinements—especially between 3rd and 6th Streets—so the plan better reflects the transportation plan and reduces pedestrian exposure when crossing multiple lanes.

The commission's motion asked staff to refine the design, specifically noting protected bike lane continuity, removal of double-threat crossing exposures, and alignment with community feedback. The measure passed on a unanimous roll call. Staff said they will return with revised plans and that a temporary pilot remains an option to gather real-world evidence before permanent changes are made.

What happens next: staff will work with stakeholders, revisit connectivity between 3rd and Kirkwood, and report back to the commission with refined designs and options for temporary pilot implementation before any permanent construction is approved.

Speakers quoted or referenced: Commissioner Flaherty; Commissioner Binder; Hank Duncan, Safe Streets program manager; Kendall Kenoki, project engineer; Greg Alexander, Bloomington resident; Paul Russo, Bloomington resident.

Ending: The commission did not adopt final findings tonight; instead it directed staff to return with revisions that address the commission's safety and connectivity concerns.