Bartlett Street Reconstruction

The City of South Bend Board of Public Works commissioned JPR to assist them in the development of the Bartlett Street Roundabout and Reconstruction project. This was one of the first citywide two-way street conversion planning initiative projects.

This project involved a multitude of stakeholders including, but not limited to, the City of South Bend, Memorial Hospital (Beacon Healthcare), the Indiana Department of Transportation, South Bend Medical Foundation, South Bend Community School Corporation, the St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission, and Downtown South Bend, Inc. During the Design Development Phase, JPR spearheaded necessary coordination with the City and all stakeholders to obtain comments and buy-in to fully develop the final design from which to create Construction Documents and Specifications.

Due to alternative funding sources, this project was split into two phases. The first phase involved the realignment of Bartlett Street and the redesign and construction of the entry drive and parking area in front of the main entrance to Memorial Hospital. Detailed maintenance of traffic plans were developed and studied in length since the pedestrian access into the hospital was to remain. Improvements within this portion of the project included new LED site and street lighting, improved storm drainage, a revised and more efficient vehicular circulation and pedestrian drop-off area, additional parking, and landscaping.

The second phase of the project included the development of a new two-lane modified turbo roundabout to be constructed at the intersection of Bartlett and Michigan Street (SR 933). Careful attention to proposed roadway speeds, the inclusion of the largest legal semi-truck, and pedestrian and bicycle crossing points were required to develop a successful, safe, and efficient roundabout design.

The aesthetic aspects integrated into the overall project were critically important since these improvements were constructed at the main entrance to downtown South Bend, as well as the entrance to the Memorial Hospital Campus. This project set the standard for future downtown two-way street conversion projects.

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