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Saginaw council reviews 2026–27 capital plan, highlights West McElroy waterline and street projects
Summary
At a budget workshop, city and consultant presentations detailed planned water and sewer projects, drainage work and street improvements; officials noted a 27,000 current population and a 33,000 buildout estimate and flagged timing for projects tied to development and federal funds.
Saginaw city leaders and outside consultants outlined the 2026–27 capital improvement plan at a council budget workshop, emphasizing near-term water and sewer projects, drainage work along Business 287 and a series of street and signal upgrades aimed at improving corridor flow.
Consultant Jack Ernie said the primary near-term water project is the West McElroy 12-inch waterline Phase 2, which “has since moved forward,” and is slated for construction in the next fiscal year. He said a Fort Worth meter-station upgrade is shown in the CIP for fiscal 2028–29 but is demand-driven and could be deferred if growth is slower than projected. On tank maintenance, he said the Jarvis tank rehabilitation is tentatively scheduled for FY29–30.
“The city of Saginaw is sitting at around 27,000 residents,” Ernie told the council, and staff and consultants estimated a buildout population of about 33,000. Ernie said the projection and observed water-use trends guided the phasing of system upgrades.
On wastewater, Ernie described Fairmont Sewer Rehab Phase 2 (Fairmont Boulevard to Sansom Boulevard) and an inflow-and-infiltration (I&I) project intended to reduce stormwater and groundwater entering the sanitary system. He said the Fairmont project requires easements from one or two remaining property owners before the city can advertise the work and expects most construction to occur next fiscal year.
Trent (presenting other CIP sections) described Drainage System 3 along Business 287, a complex project requiring coordination with TxDOT, railroad companies and the National Guard for the outfall. He said the city completed the conceptual study and the next step is a final design contract. Trent also outlined plans to add roughly 11 pedestrian crossings in Willow Creek Park, to be implemented as funds and scheduling permit.
Streets and signals were a major focus. Trent said Old Decatur North is about one-third complete and remains targeted to finish in February of next year, though he acknowledged the project appears behind schedule. He reported progress on Macquarie Phase 1 and said the city is coordinating franchise-utility relocations to clear the way for construction. The council heard that the city is pursuing federal funding and regional coordination for corridor signal timing on Bailey Boswell to improve east–west traffic flow.
Trent reported a pavement condition index of 70.3 for the city overall, with 63 percent of roads rated satisfactory or better. He said the city will prioritize the lower-rated roads and continue to seek the most effective mix of bond-funded reconstruction and maintenance work.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the Jarvis tank (presenters said it dates to 2012), the potential to weight pavement scores by traffic volumes, and whether recent I&I work has reduced wastewater variability. Ernie said repairing older clay pipe has already helped stabilize flows sent to Fort Worth, which bills the city on volume.
Next steps spelled out during the workshop include pursuing necessary easements for Fairmont, advancing design contracts for Drainage System 3, continuing franchise coordination for Macquarie construction, and refining the parks bond project scopes with upcoming public design meetings. Consultants and staff said the CIP will be updated as council feedback is received over the next week or two.
