Flint, MI — Beginning Monday, March 11, Saginaw Street will be closed between First and Kearsley Streets in downtown Flint as the final phase of the Saginaw Street brick restoration and infrastructure project gets underway. The project first broke ground in April 2023 and is expected to be completed by early August 2024.
Brick and pavement removal will begin March 11, and replacement of the approximately 100-year-old water main will begin toward the end of the week. Water main replacement is expected to take five to six weeks. The project also includes the replacement of all water service lines connecting downtown businesses to the Saginaw Street water main.
Saginaw Street will be open for traffic and deliveries between Second and First Streets. Northbound Saginaw Street traffic must turn at Second Street and southbound traffic must turn at Kearsley Street.
First Street will be open for local traffic only between Harrison and Beach Streets with full street closure after Brush and Buckham Alleys. Access to both alleys will remain open throughout construction.
Beginning in late March/early April and continuing through project completion in early August 2024, Saginaw Street will be closed from First Street to First Avenue, and Kearsley Street will be closed to through traffic at Saginaw Street.
Kearsley Streets will be open for local traffic only between Harrison and Beach Streets, with full street closure after Brush and Buckham Alleys.
The Saginaw Streets project is restoring Flint’s iconic main thoroughfare brick-by-brick and upgrading all underground utilities from Court Street to the Flint River. The work includes water main replacement, electrical upgrades, running conduits for lights and meters, as well as the replacement of two gas mains.
The project is also replacing 80-90% of the sidewalks along Saginaw Street as well as all tree grates. New brick-stamped, concrete intersections will reduce wear and tear on the road since vehicles push the bricks to the side when they turn at intersections. All-new ADA-compliant ramps and paved concrete street crossings are also making Saginaw Street more accessible.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is providing about $2.3 million in funding for the project, while the City of Flint’s Major Roads Fund is contributing $3.4 million. An additional $2.8 million from the federal Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN Act) is funding the replacement of the 12-inch water main under Saginaw Street.