A document presented this week to local lawmakers outlines projects the city of Bloomington wants to fund over the next five years. (Joe Ragusa/WJBC)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington is searching for money to fund several road projects over the next five years.

City Manager David Hales presented those projects at a meeting with state lawmakers this week.

“We’re just trying to make sure that our legislators know that there is some big projects that we see as very significant, and can greatly increase the efficiency of getting from point A to point B in the city,” Hales said.

The city has seven projects that it wants to at least start next year, including an extension of Hamilton Road between Bunn and Commerce. Hales says funding could come from other sources outside of IDOT, including the federal TIGER discretionary grant program.

Data released earlier this week shows IDOT District 5, the district Bloomington resides in, is the poorest-funded district in the state. State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) says despite that, the region has done well.

“We’re always trying to do as well as we can for the people we represent to make sure we receive a fair share,” Brady said.

District 5 receives $335.80 per capita, nearly 50 percent less than the next-closest district.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].