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Macomb delays large roadway work to bundle projects for better bids, keeps short‑term repairs
Summary
Public works director Alice Orman told the council that geotechnical findings require substantial over‑excavation on sections of Western and University, prompting a postponement of major reconstruction to a bundled bid cycle next year; limited short‑term repairs will proceed and staff invited aldermen to recommend streets for the expanded program.
Macomb’s council discussion of the 2025 roadway improvement list centered on a recommendation from the public works director to postpone major reconstruction work this year and assemble a larger, better‑timed bid package for next year.
Public Works Director Alice Orman said geotechnical reports showed the need for significant over‑excavation on Western and University streets. That work requires redesign and would have pushed the city into a constrained bidding market; Orman said local asphalt and concrete contractors are heavily booked and the only contractor that normally bids asphalt in Macomb is not available this year.
"We're not going to spend as much money this year as we had intended, but we're going to probably spend more, have a bigger project, which should get us better unit prices next summer," Orman told the council. She recommended designing in the fall, bidding in the spring and constructing the following summer to get better pricing and contractor availability.
Orman said the city will still perform short‑term, targeted repairs on severely deteriorated sections of Western to remove unsafe areas until full reconstruction can be scheduled. She also asked aldermen to email streets in their wards for consideration for the expanded pavement program.
Council members noted coordination needs with university construction and other projects that will affect timing and traffic disruptions. The administration intends to return with a revised project list and schedule for future council action.
