Can Crandall’s Roads, Sewer and Drainage Keep Up With Growth?

Crandall Infrastructure Report

City Records Show Crandall Investing Millions to Keep Up With Growth

City records show major investment in wastewater, streets and drainage as Crandall’s population surges past historic levels.

By Merv Moore • Shop in Seagoville • August 26, 2026

CRANDALL, Texas — Crandall’s population has grown by roughly 75 percent since the 2020 Census. City leaders are now working to expand roads, sewer lines and drainage systems fast enough to serve thousands of new residents.

City records, the adopted city budget, the Envision Crandall comprehensive plan and an August 2026 S&P Global credit review outline the scope of that effort.

Together, the documents show a city investing heavily in infrastructure while growth continues to accelerate.

A City Growing Faster Than Its Systems Were Built For

The North Central Texas Council of Governments estimated Crandall’s population at 6,751 residents on January 1, 2026. That is up from 5,749 residents one year earlier, a 17.4 percent increase in a single year.

The 2020 Census counted 3,860 residents in Crandall. The city’s population has grown by roughly 75 percent since that count. S&P Global reported this month that city officials expect approximately 4,000 additional single family homes over the next decade.

Wastewater Capacity Is the Biggest Test

City leaders have identified wastewater capacity as one of the most pressing issues tied to future growth.

The city’s current budget lists the Sewer Force Main as a major project meant to expand wastewater capacity for long term residential and commercial development.

The Envision Crandall comprehensive plan states that the existing wastewater treatment plant has capacity limitations.

In April 2024, the city reached an agreement with Mesquite and the North Texas Municipal Water District to transfer additional wastewater for treatment.

Crandall’s long term goal is to decommission its wastewater treatment plant entirely and shift wastewater flow to NTMWD for treatment.

Until that transition happens, the city must maintain and upgrade its aging plant. It also has to expand the collection system that carries wastewater through town, including larger lines, lift stations and force mains.

The North Lift Station and Force Main project is among the improvements funded through Crandall’s latest debt issuance.

The comprehensive plan also recommends a long term Wastewater Master Plan and a stronger asset management program to identify aging pipes and equipment before they fail.

$17.18 Million in New Debt

Crandall finalized a major infrastructure financing package this month. The city issued $17.18 million in Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2026, with debt extending to 2051.

The funding covers water and sewer improvements, streets, drainage, parks, municipal facilities and public safety equipment.

City officials specifically named the North Lift Station and Force Main, drainage upgrades and sewer line replacements as priority projects.

This follows a separate $4.1 million certificate of obligation issued in 2025 for water and sewer improvements.

Roads Are Feeling the Growth Too

Growth is also straining Crandall’s transportation network, which was built for a much smaller community. FM 741 has become one of the busiest corridors as development expands toward US 175.

City officials confirmed on August 17 that the Texas Department of Transportation has fully funded the FM 741 roadway expansion.

The city is also coordinating with nearby businesses on turn lane improvements and a new traffic signal.

Crandall and Kaufman County have completed engineering work for widening the FM 741 bridge over US 175.

Resident concerns support the need for those projects. Crandall’s comprehensive planning survey found transportation issues near the top of community priorities.

Mowry Street Shows How Projects Overlap

One current project shows how road, drainage and utility work often overlap in Crandall.

The Mowry Street Paving and Drainage Improvements Project covers the area from First Street to Fourth Street. It combines road reconstruction with major stormwater upgrades.

The project also includes water and sanitary sewer adjustments. City officials say the work reflects how a single street project can involve pavement, drainage, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure at the same time.

Drainage Planning Dates Back Years

Crandall’s drainage challenges are not new. A 2020 Drainage Master Plan identified about $3.94 million in recommended projects across the city. Some of those projects, including work near Mowry Street, have since moved into active capital plans.

Growth Extends Beyond City Limits

Crandall’s infrastructure challenge extends past its official boundaries. The comprehensive plan notes that much of the area’s recent residential growth has occurred within Crandall’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

That growth can still affect nearby roads and intersections, even in areas outside the city’s direct service area.

Outlook

City records show active projects underway across wastewater, streets, drainage and infrastructure mapping. Reserves have grown to approximately $8.4 million in fiscal 2025, and S&P Global has kept Crandall’s credit outlook stable.

S&P also noted that continued capital needs will likely require additional borrowing in the medium term. City officials say projects including the FM 741 expansion and the North Lift Station and Force Main are moving forward on their current timelines.