<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indiana settles with opioid distributors, manufacturer for $507 million Indiana anticipates signing the agreement, ensuring that Indiana local governments will be eligible to participate. Indiana\u2019s share will be distributed among the State and local governments pursuant to a statute passed by the Indiana General Assembly this spring (IC 4-6-15). Local governments that are currently litigating were provided the ability to opt out of the state\u2019s opioid plan. Those local governments have the opportunity to opt back into the state\u2019s plan within 60 days of opting out. Indiana stands to receive approximately $507 million with all local governments on board. If subdivisions do not opt back in, Indiana collectively loses up to $237.9 million in opioid abatement funds from the global settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Funding Overview:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Injunctive Relief Overview:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Update on infrastructure improvement projects underway in Bloomington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park (Third Street Park)<\/u><\/em> Public Input Sought on 17th Street Multimodal Improvements Residents may join the virtual public meeting July 27 from 6 to 7 p.m.where this project will be presented and questions can be answered at https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/j\/89982268437<\/a>. Comments may also be submitted to an online form at the project website: https:\/\/bloomington.in.gov\/engineering\/projects\/17thpath<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Supported by federal funding as prioritized through the Bloomington Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO), the project is currently in the design phase, with construction expected to begin in mid to late 2022<\/strong>. The improvements are part of the City\u2019s larger commitment to sustainability and quality of life for all residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Public Invited to Provide Input about Local Transportation Projects<\/span> The draft 2022-26 TIP document is available for review or electronic downloading at Transportation Improvement Program | City of Bloomington, Indiana<\/a>. Members of the public may submit comments regarding this draft document directly to BMCMPO staff by email at martipa@bloomington.in.gov<\/a> or clemensr@bloomington.in.gov<\/a>, to be shared with the BMCMPO\u2019s committees. Voting to adopt the draft TIP takes place September 10. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Griffy Lake Accessible Fishing Pier and Loop Trail Project<\/span> Lower Cascades Park Streambank Stabilization & Trail Construction\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span> This project will create a quarter mile of new 8-foot wide paved trail from the southern end of the Sycamore Shelter parking lot to a new trail roundabout just south of the Waterfall Shelter. From there, an approximately 730′ long accessible boardwalk will be built to a viewing platform at the waterfall, and a new pedestrian bridge will connect the roundabout to the southern parts of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project will also stabilize approximately 430+ feet of streambank in the vicinity of the Waterfall Shelter by removing parts of the damaged and eroded wall, pulling back the streambank into tiers, and lining them with large limestone blocks. Pulling back the streambank will allow the creek to slow down during high-water events, reducing the erosive forces and decreasing the amount of sediment carried by the water. Additionally, the project will install new infrastructure for improved lighting through this portion of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hidden River Pathway Project Until early 2023, City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) and its contractor, Milestone Contractors, LLP will be reconstructing 1,829 feet of culverts.\u00a0 In addition to stormwater improvements, some reconstruction of sanitary sewers and water main infrastructure will be simultaneously completed to support Bloomington\u2019s vibrant downtown.\u00a0 More information, maps, and updates about the Hidden River Pathway Project are available here<\/a>.\u00a0When encountering these improvement projects or others, motorists are asked to travel slowly, cautiously, and distraction-free through every construction zone for the safety of the workers and others using the road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Indiana settles with opioid distributors, manufacturer for $507 millionAttorney General Todd Rokita announced a $507 million settlement for Indiana as part of a $26 billion multi-state agreement that will help bring relief to people across the country who are struggling with opioid addiction. The agreement includes Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen \u2013 the nation\u2019s three …<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Attorney General Todd Rokita announced a $507 million settlement for Indiana as part of a $26 billion multi-state agreement that will help bring relief to people across the country who are struggling with opioid addiction. The agreement includes Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen \u2013 the nation\u2019s three major pharmaceutical distributors \u2013 and Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids. The agreement also requires significant industry changes that will help prevent this type of crisis from ever happening again. The agreement resolves investigations and litigation over the companies\u2019 roles in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic. States have 30 days to sign onto the deal and local governments in the participating states will have an additional period of time to join to secure a critical mass of participating states and local governments. States and their local governments will receive maximum payments if each state and its local governments join together in support of the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City\u2019s Parks and Recreation Department received online feedback from more than 80 playground enthusiasts about the equipment to be installed in the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park (Third Street Park) to replace the playground that was removed as part of the City\u2019s Hidden River Pathway Project<\/a> (more information below).\u00a0 Department staff are developing a request for proposals for the new playground that includes this feedback–together with that from other regular users of the facility–along with site specifications and the available budget for the project.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/span>Community members are invited to a virtual public meeting to learn more about an upcoming City of Bloomington project on 17th <\/sup>Street, from Monroe Street to Grant Street, that will improve safety and accessibility for a mix of transportation options.\u00a0 The project involves changes along 17th Street including construction of a multiuse path along the north side of the street, construction of accessible sidewalk curb ramps, street resurfacing, and replacement of the existing traffic signal at the intersection of 17th Street at Madison Street\/Kinser Pike.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) continues to seek public input for development of the Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program <\/a>(TIP).\u00a0 The FY 2022-2026 TIP is a comprehensive list of planned and funded multi-modal transportation projects programmed for the Indiana Department of Transportation, Monroe County, Rural Transit, Bloomington Transit, and the City of Bloomington.\u00a0 Providing feedback on the proposed list of TIP projects helps shape the project investment priorities of the BMCMPO for the next five\u00a0 years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of seven Bicentennial Bond projects announced by Mayor John Hamilton in 2018 and approved by the Bloomington City Council, the Griffy Lake Loop Trail and Accessible Fishing Pier project will go out for bid Friday, July 23<\/strong>.\u00a0 Through Friday, August 20, firms may submit proposals to construct the first phase of the loop trail around the lake, as well as an accessible fishing pier and concrete walking trail on the west side of the causeway.\u00a0 If bids received are viable and acceptable, a contract for construction will be reviewed for approval at the September meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners. This project also includes a realignment of the entry drive into the Griffy Lake parking lot and a guardrail along Headley Road across from the boathouse.\u00a0 The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for this project will be posted at https:\/\/www.bloomingtonplanroom.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The road through Lower Cascades Park remains closed to motor vehicles<\/strong> while it awaits necessary repairs from the June 18 flood, but is open to pedestrians and cyclists.\u00a0 In addition to these repairs, the city will be installing traffic calming measures along the road as part of reopening the road after the recently concluded Road Conversion Pilot.\u00a0 Pedestrians and cyclists using the road are encouraged to use caution in the area, due to both the necessary repairs and the start of the Lower Cascades Streambank Stabilization & Trail Phase 5 project, which began staging and layout this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>The Hidden River Pathway Project<\/a> is progressing with the replacement of the network of culverts that carry the Campus River (formerly the Jordan River) from Dunn Meadow on the Indiana University campus southwest under downtown Bloomington to West 1st Street and South College Avenue, where it reappears as Clear Creek.\u00a0 Last week, crews installed the water and sewer lines on Smith Avenue west of South Lincoln Street, set precast box culvert forms across Smith toward the park, and made a pour on the next \u201ccast in place\u201d section of the culvert on the north side of Smith.\u00a0 This week, crews are continuing the excavation of the existing precast box culvert on Lincoln, will complete the tie-in to the water main on Smith Avenue, and pour the wall sections of the parts of the culvert that are cast in place. \u00a0 No changes in traffic patterns are anticipated this week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n