DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 6
SUBJECT:
Micro-trench Pilot Program
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing Google Fiber Texas LLC to pilot the use of an alternate cable boring or trenching methodology, micro-trenching, within a defined geographic area, located in Council District 6, as part of their installation of a high-speed fiber network citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 5, 2015 Google Fiber Texas LLC (Google) announced that it would be bringing its one gigabit internet access to San Antonio. This announcement enhanced competition among the telecommunication providers and significantly increased the amount of construction being performed within the City of San Antonio right of way.
For years, San Antonio based telecommunication companies have built out their networks utilizing multiple construction methods (boring, trenching and/or aerial pole attachments) to provide their services to the San Antonio region. More recently, other cities such as Austin have permitted the use of an alternate construction method called "micro trenching" to reduce the impact on the easements located on resident's property and existing underground utilities.
In August 2016, Google submitted a formal request to the City which would allow them to implement a micro trench pilot program in a define geographic area within Council District 6. This pilot program would provide Google with the ability to convert approximately 190 linear miles of underground boring into the proposed micro trenching construction method.
Implementing the proposed micro trenching pilot program would enable the deployment of underground fiber in trenches that are narrower, shallower, and completed faster than typical open trenches or boring. Generally, the width of the trench is between .75 and 1.25 inches wide and 8 to 16 inches deep. Trenches can be cut directly into the road surface, in the...
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