IL-2023-035

Application Purpose: The purpose of this award is to support the design and construction of a transit center in downtown Bloomington, Illinois. Currently, no stand-alone transit facility is located within downtown Bloomington, which is one of the central mobility hubs in the Connect Transit service area. This area handles as many as 2000 riders per day.

On-street transfer points are located on the south sides of 100 and 200 West Front Streets, approximately two blocks from the proposed location. However, these two locations currently only include one bus stop shelter and bench at each location, which raises safety and accessibility concerns.

While frequent riders are accustomed to how to transfer buses along Front Street, the requirement to cross Front Street to make a transfer can be confusing and can create safety concerns for those who are unfamiliar with the area or are infrequent or new riders. The transfer points can be complicated with heavy vehicular movements on West Front Street and a steady stream of buses entering and exiting the area. In addition, the limited availability of bus shelters and benches, particularly during adverse weather conditions, provides increased safety and quality of ridership concerns during rider transfer and waiting periods.

The lack of a stand-alone transit facility also affects the reliability and efficiency of transit operations. Because of the lack of space at the existing transfer points, only seven buses can converge at one time. This limits bus route scheduling, particularly during peak periods when demand is highest. This lack of space prevents Connect Transit from operating efficiently and conveniently by not allowing customers to transfer to another bus seamlessly. This lack of space also limits the transit service's ability to expand route capabilities in the future.

Activities Performed: Funds will be used to design, demolish, and construct the transit-related components of the transit center. Additional activities that are required for this project will include construction management and relocation of a US Post Office, which is located in the current facility.

Expected Outcomes: The new facility will promote and enhance Connect Transit's mission of providing safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation throughout the Bloomington-Normal community.

Intended Beneficiaries: Because this project includes the construction of a new transit center and bus transfer facility, it is intended to primarily result in public transit benefits to the local public transit users and the local community. Benefits would include enhancing Connect Transit services by improving safety, access, reliability, and the overall experience for passengers. In addition, it would improve traffic conditions by removing the existing bus transfer points from a key thoroughfare. With a new transit center, leasable spaces, streetscaping improvements, and other enhancements, this could lead to further economic development and revitalization of the local neighborhood surrounding the site.

Connect Transit employees are also a beneficiary of this project by having a safer and cleaner location to dwell. The current location has no public restroom facilities or areas designed for drivers' layover at the transfer facility. The new design will have restrooms and refreshment areas for bus operators while also providing cover during periods of snow or rain. In addition, having a dedicated facility off-street will enhance the safety of bus operators by allowing them to exit their vehicles without interacting with traffic in the area.

The City of Bloomington will benefit by working with Connect Transit on this project by building a new parking and transit facility that becomes the mobility hub of downtown Bloomington, allowing public transit riders and personal automobile users to access opportunities for employment, recreation, shopping, and dining. In addition, the city will likely experience cost savings by reduced maintenance and repair costs to the existing facility that is in need of significant improvement.

Subrecipient Activities: None.

Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System

20.526 - Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs

FTA Region 5 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Illinois United States

State-Wide

None