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Anniston considers multi-year pavement plan using 2019 Roadbox assessment
Summary
Council heard a presentation from engineering firm GMC proposing a two-phase pavement management plan that will convert a 2019 Roadbox assessment into prioritized resurfacing schedules and cost estimates; the plan would seek grants, partner with Calhoun County to reduce unit costs, and be brought back to council for approval.
Anniston city officials on Monday heard a presentation from engineering firm GMC that would turn a 2019 Roadbox roadway assessment into a citywide pavement management plan.
The proposal, described by a GMC representative, calls for a two‑phase approach: a lump‑sum Phase 1 to build a management plan and cost estimates, followed by an annual Phase 2 to prepare bid packages and implement priority resurfacing. "It's just a plan," the GMC representative said, noting the study will identify how much patching, milling and pavement thickness each street will need.
City staff said the Roadbox scores — a 1‑to‑5 scale where 1 is best and 5 is worst — were supplemented by visual video surveys of the streets and that the scoring was calibrated specifically for Anniston. "And then put that data in your 1 through 5 is scaled to Anniston," an engineering staff member said, explaining the ratings reflect local conditions.
GMC told the council it will prioritize not only by pavement score but by use and exposure — for example, roads serving schools, churches or heavy truck traffic may receive higher priority. The firm also said it would work with the city's grant‑writing team to pursue available funding. "We're going to be very aggressive in trying to see grant funds for you," the GMC representative said, while noting state funding is often preferable to some federal programs because federal dollars can carry additional requirements.
Officials said the city currently has roughly $240,000 in its paving budget, to be allocated partly to immediate needs such as railings and speed bumps. Council members discussed partnering with Calhoun County, which runs an annual paving contract that can lower unit prices by guaranteeing larger quantities of work under a renewable contract. City staff described that approach as a way to reduce contractor insurance and bonding costs and sometimes obtain lower per‑ton pricing.
There was no formal vote to hire GMC at the meeting. GMC representatives said they will produce the Phase 1 plan and cost estimates for council review; staff indicated the plan will be brought to a future council meeting for authorization of any implementation contracts.
Next steps: GMC will prepare the pavement management plan and cost estimates for council consideration; staff and GMC will also explore grant opportunities and potential Calhoun County partnership to reduce construction costs.
