Bee Cave council tables microtrenching ordinance changes after staff briefing on Google Fiber installation method

The Bee Cave City Council on April 22 discussed possible amendments to the city's street-cut ordinance to address microtrenching — a shallow trenching technique proposed by Google Fiber to install conduit for fiber-optic service — and decided to table action until staff returns with more data.

Interim City Engineer Giancarlo Patino described microtrenching as a technique that "cut[s] shallow trenches typically 1 and a half inch to 2 inches wide and up to 18 inches deep," usually placed along the seam where pavement meets the curb and gutter. Patino told council staff and Google Fiber personnel had conducted site visits to active installations and provided design details and photos from other Central Texas locations.

Patino said proponents report high installation rates — roughly 1,500 to 2,000 linear feet of conduit per day in ideal conditions — and that the method limits surface disruption during construction. He said microtrenching restoration typically uses a flowable fill (also called controlled low-strength material) poured into the trench and smoothed; restoration quality and long-term performance…