Roundabout Roundup
Orange construction cone season has arrived at the Memorial Hospital campus. South Bend’s Smart Streets project is a citywide effort to redesign streets to make them safer for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders.
This project will change some one-way streets to two-way streets and will add more roundabouts, including two directly adjacent to Memorial Hospital. Smart Streets will create a more vibrant downtown with a stronger sense of place and identity. We know these changes will be helpful for our associates and patients once they’re done. However, there’s just this one little thing … getting through all the construction!
What Does This Project Mean for Our Patients, Visitors and Associates?
Due to the scope of the project, everyone can expect delays and detours during roundabout construction. It will be a temporary nuisance, but we need to stay positive about the end result. Having a positive attitude will help our patients and visitors feel more at ease, too.
PROJECT TIMELINE ESTIMATES
Phase II (Beginning of May)
• Bartlett Street, from St. Joseph Street to Michigan Street, will close (outside the BMG E. Blair Warner Family Medicine Center).
• The old Mar-Main Pharmacy building will be torn down, and a new access road will connect northbound traffic on Michigan Street to Riverside Drive.
Phase III (begins May 17) [click here for campus-area map]
• Michigan Street will close from just north of Park Lane to Marion Street.
• All traffic going north and south will be detoured around the hospital.
When Will It All End?
The good news is that there IS a definite end date: September 9, to be exact.
Some key points to remember:
• Plan on leaving home earlier than usual. You’ll improve your chances of missing the commuting rush, and you’ll avoid that anxious feeling that comes when you’re running late!
• Drive carefully. Many of the detours take drivers right past Madison Elementary
School, a playground, a duck pond and tennis courts. The safety of everyone (drivers, kids on playgrounds, pedestrians, and even ducks!) should be everyone’s top priority.
Roundabout Roundup Construction Q & A
Q: Why is this happening?
A: This construction is part of South Bend’s Smart Streets Initiative. When it’s done, traffic will flow better through downtown, and the roads will be more convenient and much safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
Q: Is this a Beacon project?
A: No, this is not a Beacon project, but we have stayed involved in the planning to make sure we get you the most accurate and up-to-date information. While this is the city’s project, we completely support the initiative and can’t wait to see the improvements to downtown South Bend and around Memorial Hospital.
Q: What does this project hope to achieve?
A: The Smart Streets initiative has many goals, but essentially it will create a better flow of traffic downtown, make downtown easier to access and will make our roadways much safer for everyone. Check out https://smartstreets.southbendin.gov/ to learn more.
Q: Who is paying for this project?
A: The project costs are being paid for by the city of South Bend. Memorial Hospital will benefit from the project in the end with new and improved campus entrances/signage/roads/sidewalks, upgraded lighting and landscaping. Our campus will look better than it has for a long time at no cost to us.
Q: When will the construction end?
A: The good news is, there is a specific end date for this project. All construction must be completed by September 9, the day before the first Notre Dame football game. You can find more specific information on the construction timeline at https://smartstreets.southbendin.gov/.
Q: Will ER traffic still be able to get through?
A: Absolutely! Emergency medical personnel are aware of the construction, and are working to develop the most time-efficient routes possible. All emergency vehicles will still be able to get where they need to go, as quickly as possible.
Q: Can I still get to the hospital?
A: While construction will close down Michigan Street for a period of time, all of the hospital’s entrances will be open and accessible. Detour signs will be posted and all patients will be informed about the best ways to travel to and from the hospital.
Q: Will the parking garages still be open?
A: Yes, all parking garages will remain open. You may have to follow a short detour to access the garage entrances, but they will all still be open during construction.
Q: Is valet parking still available?
A: Yes, valet parking is still open and will operate under their normal hours.
The construction could mean more people choose to valet, so patients and visitors, please arrive early for your appointments in case there is a wait, and be considerate of the fact that it may take a bit longer for the valet to retrieve your car.
Q: Will this affect the Children’s Hospital construction?
A: At this time we do not believe the Children’s Hospital construction will be affected by the roundabout project. The Children’s Hospital construction is right on track, and should be completed as scheduled!
Q: Is LaPetite Academy still open? How will I get there?
A: LaPetite Academy will be open throughout the construction. Parents will receive specific parking instructions from LaPetite in the near future.
Q: What happens if I’m late?
A: While we all can expect the unexpected during this summer’s construction season, it is each associate’s responsibility to get to work on time. This will mean leaving earlier to account for traffic delays. Please be considerate of your fellow staff members and patients, and make proactive choices that will help you get to work on time.
Q: Can I still cross the street from Skyway or E. Blair Warner to get to the hospital?
A: We are working with the construction company to ensure pedestrians will still be able to cross Michigan Street, but we do recommend that patients and associates use the Skyway bridge when possible. We will keep you updated on pedestrian crossings as we receive more information.
