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Saginaw engineers outline Macquarie Phase 3 timing, cite utility relocations and funding hurdles
Summary
City engineers told the council that Macquarie Boulevard Phase 3 is roughly 90% designed with advertising for contractors targeted in early 2026 but that utility relocations (notably Encore and Charter) are on the critical path; staff proposed an October public meeting on design options and discussed funding needs for later construction phases.
City engineering staff briefed the Saginaw City Council on Feb. 26 about coordination issues that are delaying some projects and the schedule for Macquarie Boulevard Phase 3.
Trent Tidwell described franchise utility coordination as the primary near‑term constraint: Encore and Charter need to relocate equipment before construction can proceed on Knowles Phase 2/3 and parts of Macquarie Phase 3. "We are waiting for Encore and Charter to get out of the way," Tidwell said, summarizing recent coordination and explaining that both companies had committed to relocation by the end of the week at the time of the meeting.
On Macquarie Phase 3, staff reported the design is roughly 90% complete and that the project is planned as an urban section emphasizing walkability: full concrete reconstruction, curb and gutter, a shared‑use path on the north side and sidewalks on the south. Tidwell said staff aims to finish design this fall, advertise in spring 2026 and start construction in summer 2026 if franchise relocations and funding align. Council and staff noted railroad coordination and utility relocations are on the critical path and may extend the construction window.
Council members asked about temporary fixes for particularly deteriorated segments and funding options. County staff have provided preliminary temporary repair cost estimates that were not recommended; one cost estimate given for a stopgap ranged from about $750,000 on the low end to just over $1,000,000 on a recommended temporary approach. Staff said design work on additional segments will proceed so the city can be ready for a bond or grant funding conversation.
Other project notes discussed with council:
• OPAL "sump" projects pairing failing roads with failing utilities are at 60% design and Atmos had advanced further on their relocation work; Atmos told staff it would replace lines and expected to be complete by May of the following year.
• Old Decatur North is near advertisement for bids; city staff expect to advertise at year end and start construction in spring.
• Sidewalk projects were described as largely grant funded (Tarrant County CDBG and TxDOT HSIP). The most recent CDBG projects are roughly $160,000 in size; staff proposed applying for a larger project for Cambridge and confirmed that signage and sidewalk extensions to the city limits remain priorities.
• For Macquarie Phase 3 aesthetics and maintenance, staff flagged tree removals and median options (turf, stamped concrete, or native xeriscape) and recommended presenting several visual options at the planned public meeting so residents could weigh aesthetic and maintenance tradeoffs.
Next steps: staff will finalize materials and schedule a public meeting (possible October date) to present design options and gather resident input, continue weekly coordination with franchise utilities, and advance grant applications and right‑of‑way tasks.
