Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Street Pavement Standards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conyers council raises minimum graded aggregate base for residential streets to improve road life
Summary
Ordinance 14‑36 passed to amend geometric street design standards, raising the city's minimum graded aggregate base (GAB) requirement for many residential streets from 6 inches to 8 inches; staff said the change addresses compaction and longevity issues.
The Conyers City Council approved Ordinance 14‑36 to amend the city's geometric street design standards, revising the table of standard pavement sections to increase the minimum graded aggregate base (GAB) for many residential streets.
Scott, the presenting staff member, told the council that the existing ordinance required a 6‑inch GAB for lower‑volume residential streets and that public‑works crews have found that thinner bases often lose compaction. "By beefing these up will give us a better road surface, in turn, longer years of service before we have to put money into maintaining them," Scott said, describing 8 inches of GAB as a "more cost friendly method to get a better road service." He added that contractors sometimes had to place 10 to 12 inches in practice to achieve needed compaction depending on subsoil conditions.
Scott noted another option — full street reclamation with soil‑cement — can provide even longer wear life but is more costly upfront. The council moved to approve Ordinance 14‑36 amending subsection H of section 8‑6‑80 to revise the standard pavement sections table; the motion passed and the second reading was waived.
Council discussion emphasized the expected long‑term benefit of stronger bases and that the change aligns construction requirements with field experience. The ordinance text sets the revised pavement sections and provides an effective date and repeal of conflicting ordinances.
