The Bloomington Board of Public Works voted unanimously Tuesday night to temporarily close a stretch of Old State Road 37 through Lower Cascades Park to vehicle traffic starting next week.
The City of Bloomington’s Cascades Pilot Road Closure project will temporarily close a .6-mile portion of the road and convert it to a bicycle- and pedestrian-only trail beginning March 13 and ending Sept. 30. The city will use the pilot period to study how the conversion might expand Bloomington’s network of bike paths and improve accessibility to the park.
READ MORE: Project Would Convert Old S.R. 37 Through Lower Cascades To Pedestrian Trail
Public Works Director Adam Wason says if the Board of Public Works and the Parks Department find the pilot project to be successful, a permanent conversion of the road could occur before September.
Several Bloomington residents voiced their support for the conversion at the meeting, citing safety for bicyclists and more accessibility for families with children as potential benefits.
The project is one of seven City Bicentennial Bonds-funded “amenity improvements” and is being implemented jointly by Public Works and the Bloomington Parks Board.
Residents will be able to provide feedback during the pilot period at the city’s website.
