By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – With the ongoing environmental cleanup at the Nicor Bloomington Gas Manufactured Gas Plant on Washington Street the City of Bloomington is aware the prolonged street closure in the area is an inconvenience to many.

It was discovered that Washington Street’s underlying soils may no longer be stable.

Therefore, Washington Street and the soils must first be evaluated before Nicor’s MGP cleanup operation can be finished.

Washington Street will return to traffic once it has been inspected and found to be secure for use by the general public.

The City is making improvements to the diversion route, present signage, and neighboring intersection operations to improve traffic flow and reduce inconveniences to the traveling public and impacted businesses in an effort to lessen some of the ongoing frustration expressed by locals.

Nicor Gas is still keeping an eye on their development and will try to open the area as soon as possible.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].