Work on the France Ave Trail Project in Bloomington is moving forward. A public hearing about the project and expected action to “order the project” (give approval to continue with detailed design) is scheduled for Monday, March 5 at the Bloomington City Council. The Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Now is the time for city taxpayers, as well as residents who live near or commute along France Ave., to state their views.

The estimated cost of the trail is now $5.6 million -- almost double the $3.1 million estimate cited when the 10 ft. wide, 3 mile bike path / pedestrian walkway combination concept was first floated in 2016, and as recently last fall during the sole neighborhood meeting.

The preliminary design includes an elevated boardwalk over a portion of a swampy marsh area that floods periodically, between 90th St. and 98th Street. Per Bloomington Engineering, the design has not yet been finalized and an additional neighborhood meeting is still planned.

Construction would begin in 2019, and would involve closures of some lanes on France Avenue during construction.

As reported in the SD49 Newsletter, one sparsely attended (by 25 people), “neighborhood” meeting was held November 30, 2017 and even the lower $3.1 million price tag raised some questions about cost-benefit.

More information about the project is at the city website. Click here.