Trees shielding a row of homes on Yonkers Drive have been removed for construction of Section 5 of I-69. This view is from the home of Dan and Gail Rea. David Snodgress | Herald-Times
Interstate 69 was a rumor when Dan Rea and his wife, Gail, bought their house on Bloomington’s west side about 18 years ago.
Now it’s here, and the couple has a clear view of the changes being made to bring Ind. 37 up to interstate standards.
Indiana Department of Transportation contractors cleared trees and underbrush along Ind. 37 earlier this year to make way for those upgrades. As a result, homes that were once hidden by vegetation now can be seen clearly from the highway.
The majority of Bloomington’s residents only see the changes when they drive on Ind. 37. The Reas, however, see them every time they look at the backyard of their South Yonkers Street home. Dan Rea said his house is 100 feet from the highway, and the vegetation that created a natural barrier between the two isn’t there anymore. He’s taking the change in stride, though.
“It is a loss of privacy,” he said, “but the cars go by so fast, we’ve tested it, and you can’t really see much. It’s not a huge deal.”
Rea isn’t too upset by the tree removal. He’s kept up with the I-69 project and knew it was coming. He also doesn’t think his view will be unobstructed forever.
“Once the sound wall is up, our privacy will be back,” he said.
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