Historic road closure in southern Indiana city to have ‘major’ impact
The city of Bloomington will close a north-south street in downtown that a city official said would have a “major” impact. Here’s what you need to know.
Which street in downtown Bloomington will be closed?
College Avenue, south of Third Avenue. Both the road and the sidewalk will be closed.
College Avenue, located south of Third Street, will be closed for two weeks starting in late January 2026.
When will the road be closed?
The road will be closed from January 26, 2026 until February 12, 2026.
Why is the road closed?
A view of the planned Bloomington Convention Center.
Weddle Brothers, the contractor building the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center, recently asked the city to allow the road closure. The company will use this closure to build the sky bridge between the existing convention center and the upcoming eastward expansion. The sky bridge will span College Avenue to connect two parts of the center.
Which municipality approved the closure?
The Bloomington Board of Labor unanimously approved the closure this week. Public Works Director Adam Wason said city officials were aware the closure “will have major impacts on the area and corridor,” but said the closure was necessary for a “generational project”: the $71 million convention center expansion.
He said city officials were unaware that College Avenue had been completely closed for such a long period of time.
Wason said city staff is working on a “significant communications plan” to ensure traffic participants, residents and business owners in the area know what to expect. Signs are scheduled to be installed three weeks before closing.
Is there an official return?
Yes. The driveway will take drivers from Third Street to Rogers Street and back to Second Street, said Kyle Baugh, an engineering field specialist with the city’s engineering department. Pedestrians will proceed east on Walnut Street and then return on Second.
While officials have said they will place plenty of signs to let people know what to expect, Wason said the city is aware that local residents will likely find shortcuts and different workarounds.
How will the closure affect nonprofits, businesses, and residents?
My Sister’s Closet on College Avenue on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Sandy Keller, general manager My Sister’s ClosetHe said he hopes the city and county will collaborate with nonprofits, businesses and area residents to make sure people are aware of alternative routes.
“My biggest concern is customers coming here,” he said.
My Brother’s Closet is a nonprofit organization that helps vulnerable women living in poverty and at risk achieve economic success.
Keller said people can still come to the My Sister’s Closet block from Second Street south and go around the back (east) of a few buildings.
My Sister’s Closet can’t afford to lose two weeks of sales, Keller said, noting that the nonprofit has moved to 1204 W. Second St. and still hopes to raise about $1 million. Those interested in supporting the nonprofit can contact Marci Hibbard at vpdevelopment@sisterscloset.org or 812-320-8926.
Keller said he hopes the brief closure won’t impact sales too much and is looking forward to the expanded convention center, which he hopes will create jobs that will benefit the nonprofit’s customers.
Will there be night work?
City officials said crews would work only at night as a last resort to maintain the quarantine for two weeks.
What will happen after the road in downtown Bloomington is closed?
College Avenue will be limited to one lane until June 26, 2026. The eastbound lane will be closed.
Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.
This article first appeared in the Herald-Times: Bloomington official says downtown road closure will have ‘major’ impact
