ISP Trooper injured on the job in Hammond
An Indiana State Trooper was injured in the City of Hammond over the weekend. The Trooper was investigating an accident when a Dodge Charger crashed into to accompanying City of Hammond Fire Truck, at high speed. The Charger then hit another vehicle, causing it to push the Trooper against a barrier wall.
The driver of the Charger, 23 year-old Brian Smith, of North Carolina, fled on foot, but was tacked down by an armed Samaritan, who held him at gun point until ISP arrested him.
The injured Trooper was taken to a nearby hospital where his current condition is unknown.
Update on City of Bloomington projects
B-Line Trail
The Parks and Recreation Department will begin trimming overgrown trees and brush on the south end of the B-Line Trail south of Switchyard Park during the week of July 18. While the B-Line Trail will remain open, trail users are asked to exercise caution when passing Parks and Recreation crews working along the trail. One lane of the trail may close periodically to accommodate tree trimming.
First Section of the Griffy Loop Trail open
The first .5-mile section of the Griffy Loop Trail, leading up a newly constructed wooden staircase on the steep slope south of the Griffy Lake causeway, is open for use. The natural surface trail follows the contour of the hillside and connects to the existing trails on the nearby IU Research and Teaching Preserve. Trail users are reminded to stay on marked trails, keep dogs on a leash, and practice safe hiking and leave no trace principles while using the trails at Griffy Lake.
Lower Cascades Park
A new guardrail along Old State Road 37 North through Lower Cascades Park was added last week to permanently close the access to the concrete spillway across Cascade Creek. The temporary gate behind the guardrail will be removed. Vehicle access to the old gravel parking lot, across the concrete spillway, was removed to improve safety for both vehicle operators and for people using the concrete spillway to access Cascade Creek. The gravel parking lot west of the spillway was removed and will be converted to greenspace. The Waterfall Shelter is accessible for people of all abilities via the parking lot immediately south of the Lower Cascades Playground and pedestrian bridge over Cascade Creek.
The Waldron, Hill, and Buskirk Park
Repairs to the performance stage columns have begun. The project contractor is deconstructing the existing columns, and is working with structural engineers to re-design and construct new columns. Crews will be working in the park through August to complete the work.
Hidden River Pathway Project
The two-year downtown stormwater infrastructure reconstruction project to address flooding during rain events continues.
Last week the contractor poured the top of the precast culvert section extending into Grant Street. They paved 4th Street and the parking lot at the Allison Jukebox Community Center on Washington Street. Duke and AT&T have completed their work in the alley between Trinity Church and Long Fei restaurant and telephone poles were removed. This week the contractor, Milestone, will be excavating between Trinity and Long Fei and pouring concrete curbs.
The traffic pattern has changed as 4th Street was paved. Currently, Lincoln is reopened from 3rd to 4th Streets, so the intersection of Lincoln and 4th is reopened as well. 4th Street will remain closed from Lincoln to Grant and Grant will be closed from 4th to the alley at Trinity. The alley on the east side of Grant between Trinity and Long Fei will be closed. Starting Monday July 25th, Grant will also be closed from the alley to Kirkwood.
The City will continue to coordinate with other construction and road projects as they reconstruct 1,829 feet of culverts to protect downtown area residential and commercial buildings. This project is on track to be finished by the February 2023 deadline.
Evergreen Village Stormwater
City of Bloomington Utilities will be doing restoration work on a drainage ditch and detention pond in Evergreen Village, off Susie Street. Weather permitting, the project will be complete in early August.
This Week in Hoosier History
1905 – Reid Memorial Hospital in Richmond was dedicated. Construction was financed by Daniel G. Reid, who had made his fortune in tin plating, railroads, and steel.
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