Bloomington sewer work, bridge project enter new phases

Construction activity in Bloomington is moving into new phases this week, with sanitary sewer work continuing near Fremont Avenue and traffic impacts approaching on American Boulevard and W. 106th Street.

American Boulevard closure begins August 3

According to the City of Bloomington’s July 24 construction update, a second sewer crew is scheduled to mobilize near American Boulevard on Monday, August 3, to install jacking and receiving pits.

That work will require American Boulevard to close in the westbound direction between Dupont Avenue and Knox Avenue. Eastbound traffic in the same segment will be reduced to one lane. The City estimates that the westbound closure will last approximately two months, but it has not provided an exact reopening date.

Drivers who regularly use American Boulevard through this area should watch for posted traffic-control devices, lane changes and possible delays as the work begins. The closure is scheduled work, so conditions may change as crews establish the work zone.

Sewer installation continues near Fremont Avenue

During the week of July 27, crews are continuing to install sanitary sewer pipe along Fremont Avenue between W. 90th Street and W. 92nd Street. The additional crew planned for August 3 will begin work near American Boulevard as part of the broader sewer-capacity project.

The North Central Sanitary Sewer Capacity Improvement Project includes approximately 13,000 feet of new sanitary sewer. The project route begins in the Penn-American area and extends along American Boulevard, the Irving Avenue corridor, Fremont Avenue and W. 92nd Street before tying into the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services interceptor near Syndicate Avenue.

The City says the sewer upgrade is intended to increase capacity for current and future development in the Penn-American District. That rationale is based on growth projections from the Bloomington Planning Division and sanitary sewer capacity modeling by the Bloomington Utilities Division. The project is being built mostly with trenchless installation methods to limit disruption to property owners and people traveling through the area.

Bridge project starts with traffic controls

The sewer work is separate from a bridge-preservation project that is also beginning to affect Bloomington streets.

During the week of July 27, the contractor is scheduled to install traffic-control and inlet-protection measures on W. 106th Street. This is the first step identified in the City’s latest update; the bridge-preservation work should not be described as completed or as occurring all at once.

The project covers three Bloomington bridges: the W. 106th Street bridge over Nine Mile Creek, the American Boulevard bridge over Highway 100, and the Auto Club Road bridge over the Twin Cities and Western Railroad tracks.

The City describes the bridge construction schedule as proposed summer 2026 work with completion planned for fall 2026. That schedule remains subject to construction conditions and should not be treated as a guaranteed finish date.

What Bloomington drivers should watch

For the immediate future, the largest planned traffic change is the westbound American Boulevard closure beginning August 3 between Dupont and Knox avenues. Eastbound traffic will be limited to one lane in the affected segment. Nearby residents and commuters should allow extra travel time, follow posted signs and use caution around workers, equipment and changing lane patterns.

Sources

• City of Bloomington — Major Construction Projects
• City of Bloomington — North Central Sewer Capacity Improvement Project