Bloomington: First Street closure July 15; College Ave reopens July 24
Bloomington drivers are heading into a fresh round of summer detours. The City of Bloomington’s latest road-closure update (shared July 13) sets a new closure window starting July 15 on First Street west of Rogers Street—and it keeps College Avenue south of Third Street on track for a July 24 reopening. The City also outlines near-term traffic-control changes at Kirkwood and Rogers, plus additional staged work later in July.
Quick heads-up for today and next week
- First Street (west of Rogers): closure begins July 15 for approximately one week.
- College Avenue (south of Third): still scheduled to reopen on July 24.
- Kirkwood/Rogers intersection: temporary lane shifts at each leg while foundations for new signal poles are installed, with each leg impacted for 1–3 days.
First Street (west of Rogers): closure window starting July 15
Starting July 15, First Street west of Rogers Street is expected to be closed for approximately one week. If you normally travel that corridor—whether you’re commuting, dropping kids off, or making deliveries—plan for slower trips and possible route changes during the closure window.
The City notes the schedule reflects the best available timing as of July 13 and that dates may shift based on weather and project needs.
College Avenue (south of Third): reopening expectation for July 24
College Avenue south of Third Street remains closed, with an anticipated reopening on July 24. For residents and businesses near that stretch, the practical takeaway is to plan around that window and re-check day-of status before driving through.
Kirkwood/Rogers area: lane shifts while signal work continues
At the Kirkwood and Rogers intersection, the update describes temporary lane shifts at each leg while foundations for new signal poles are placed starting the week of July 13. The City’s plan indicates that, on each leg, the through lane will be closed and shifted into the left-turn lane, and the left-turn lane will be shared for right-turn, through, and left-turn maneuvers.
Each leg is expected to be impacted for 1–3 days, so drivers may see changes from day to day across the intersection. Re-check routes if you’re traveling through during peak times.
Later-in-July work: West Kirkwood and Rogers updates
The July 13 update also points to additional staged construction after the initial mid-July moves:
- West Kirkwood Avenue: closure begins July 20 for approximately two weeks. The City says access to local businesses and residences will be maintained. The work is staged by intersection, beginning with closures at Jackson Street and Maple Street while Fairview Street remains open for local access.
- Second Street and Rogers Street intersection area: closure timing is to be determined, expected after College Avenue reopens and First Street work is complete.
- Rogers Street at Dodds: the City lists a north-leg closure at Dodds, with expected timing in the last week of July. Dodds will be open to east-west traffic with a detour in place for the intersection closure.
How to confirm day-of impacts: inRoads and the Road Closings feed
The fastest way to confirm what’s actually in effect on the morning you drive is the City’s inRoads system. The City also directs residents to the Road Closings open-data feed, which is published through inRoads and includes a “Last Updated” timestamp.
- Before you leave: check the inRoads interactive map for the exact block/segment status.
- Verify freshness: look at the “Last Updated” time in the open-data feed so you’re not relying on an older schedule.
The Bloomington Star also points readers to inRoads as the place to check current road and construction impacts.
Practical planning tips for commuters, parents, and nearby businesses
- Add time if your commute uses First Street west of Rogers during the July 15 closure window.
- Plan pickup/drop-off with extra buffer near Kirkwood/Rogers, since the intersection is scheduled for short, staged lane impacts.
- For businesses: if curb access or customer traffic depends on these streets, check inRoads before scheduling deliveries or staff arrivals.
- As July 24 approaches: re-check status the day before—and again the morning you travel—if you typically use College Avenue south of Third.
Sources
- Indiana Daily Student (republished City update): July road closure updates (July 13, 2026) — First Street July 15; College Ave reopening July 24
- City of Bloomington Open Data: Road Closings (inRoads feed) — includes “Last Updated”
- inRoads events map (City of Bloomington) — interactive road/sidewalk/parking status
- The Bloomington Star: July closures context (Grimes/College/Walnut) and how to check inRoads
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