Updated: 9/11/25

Overview

The Illinois Department of Transportation is in the design phase of a three-phase rehabilitation of US Route 51 that runs through the City. IDOT's project will be starting in the FY 2025-26 construction season. In an effort to be proactive and repair underground infrastructure before scheduled roadwork, the City of Bloomington Water Department will make water infrastructure repairs in select locations along the US Route 51 corridor. This project, called US Route 51 Water Main Replacement, is scheduled to be awarded this fall and consists of:

• A total of 13,000 linear feet of water main along sections of northbound and southbound US Route 51 from Kentucky Alley to Division Street
• Installation of 98 water service connections

To sign up for regular project updates, please visit www.bloomingtonil.gov/subscribe and subscribe to US Route 51 Water Main Replacement under Construction.

Map of US Route 51 Water Main Replacement

Project Description

Construction is to be completed prior to the start of the upcoming FY 2025-26 IDOT US 51 Resurfacing project construction and includes:

• Approximately 9,350 linear feet of existing water main along US 51 from Division Street to Olive Street
• Approximately 1,000 linear feet of existing water main along the cross streets (Division Street, Seminary Avenue, and Empire Street) connecting the northbound and southbound lanes of US 51
• Approximately 1,800 linear feet of existing water main along Main Street from Locust Street to Washington Street
• Lead service line replacements with new curb stops (shut-off valves)

Funding

History

On July 24, 2024, Council approved an agreement with Farnsworth Group, Inc., for engineering design services for this project, in the amount not to exceed $337,300.

Schedule

The City is being proactive by scheduling this project to occur ahead of the FY 2025-26 IDOT US 51 Resurfacing project construction phase that includes resurfacing and other roadwork on US Route 51.

The design portion of the project is complete, and the construction portion of the project went out for bid in August 2025. The bid is scheduled to be awarded this fall.

Public Meeting

Water held a public information meeting on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, to provide additional information about the project and answer any questions. The meeting took place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Government Center Boardroom.