Taxpayers funding $52.8M Route 9 upgrade; residents raise safety concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois is set to receive $52.8 million in federal taxpayer funding to overhaul roughly 6 miles of Illinois Route 9, but a proposed sidewalk near Bloomington High School is drawing sharp opposition from nearby homeowners who say the project creates new safety risks and disrupts long-standing neighborhoods.

The IDOT project, funded with federal infrastructure dollars, includes road, drainage and pedestrian upgrades along Route 9 through Bloomington.

Empire Street homeowners near Bloomington High School told city leaders they were blindsided by plans for a new sidewalk on the residential side of the road.

Longtime resident Sharon Trowitch warned the sidewalk would pose a “serious public safety issue” for students and neighbors.

“There is already a sidewalk on the south side of the street, on the school side,” Trowich said. “Putting a sidewalk on the north side will create an attractive nuisance that encourages students to cross a busy state highway where there is no stoplight or stop sign.”

Craig Gates, another homeowner, questioned the necessity of the sidewalk altogether, noting that there are no businesses or destinations on the residential side of the street and that students and walkers already use the existing sidewalk on the school side.

“What caught me off guard was that they wanted to put a sidewalk in front of my house. I’ve lived here for 45 years, and as far as I know, there’s never been a sidewalk on this side of the street, and I can understand why. There’s no need for one,” said Gates during a recent city council meeting. “There are no stores or destinations on our side, and the school-side sidewalk already provides a safe, flat path for people and kids to walk.”

Gates explained the project could reshape their yards, requiring tree removal, retaining walls, utility moves, and sidewalks next to the curb that may raise pedestrian safety concerns.

“The terrain isn’t level like near the high school, and the landscaping changes in our front yards will be extensive. Some retaining walls will be higher than your knee, which could create safety issues for people mowing or walking in their yards,” said Gates.

Trowitch criticized the lack of notice from IDOT, saying residents “didn’t even know who to contact.”

“I was finally able to reach someone recently, and we came to you immediately. The project manager said the sidewalk is being requested by the city. We’re asking to be placed on your agenda at the next council meeting, since the project is moving toward the bidding phase in the coming months. We want the opportunity to discuss our concerns with you before that happens,” said Trowitch.

City manager Jeff Jurgens acknowledged the concerns and said the city would follow up with affected residents, noting that the area is considered a school route and part of Bloomington’s sidewalk master plan. However, Jurgens cautioned that changes to the project may not be possible.

“We’ll have some discussions and come back and see if perhaps the council wants to make any changes, or if that’s even possible,” said Jurgens.

As Illinois moves forward with spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on Route 9, homeowners along Empire Street say they’re not opposed to progress, but they want a seat at the table before irreversible decisions are made in their own front yards.