In a nutshell
The City of Georgetown had a study completed on microtrenching by Halff and Associates. The study outlines research and recommendations for allowing microtrenching activity in Georgetown, according to city documents.
Microtrenching involves cutting very narrow trenching into pavement—1-2 inches wide and up to 2 feet deep—typically close to where the road and curb meet. A line or conduit is then laid and the trench is filled with a grout compound, according to city documents.
The specifics
Halff and Associates laid out several recommendations based on the study for Georgetown City Council to consider including:
- Minimum offset of trench in street from face of gutter: 0 inches
- Maximum offset of trench in street from face of gutter: 36 inches
- Number of trenches per side of street: 3 each
- Amount of conduit in same trench: 1
- Maximum width of trench: 2.5 inches
- Minimum depth of trench in residential/collector streets: 6 inches
- Maximum depth of trench in residential/collector streets: 14 inches
- Minimum depth of trench in arterial streets: 10 inches
- Maximum depth of trench in arterial streets: 16 inches
- Mill and overlay 1.5 feet wide for each trench that crosses the road
- Contractor must identify all utilities and “test hole” to find their depths at every crossing
- Sod will be used for turf replacement
- Trenches must be backfilled by the end of every day
Google Fiber has shown interest in offering services in Georgetown, according to city documents.
What’s next?
City Council will further discuss and consider allowing microtrenching with specific parameters in Georgetown at a future meeting.
