ATLANTIC BOULEVARD PAVEMENT EVALUATION
The City of Norcross retained United Consulting to conduct a condition assessment of deteriorating pavement along Atlantic Boulevard to determine whether full-depth reconstruction was necessary or if repairs would be sufficient. The project area covered a 0.77-mile stretch of Atlantic Boulevard between State Route 140 – Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross. This three-lane roadway features opposing travel lanes, a center turn lane, and several dedicated right-turn lanes. Though relatively short in length, Atlantic Boulevard serves as an essential corridor, home to an elementary school and several major businesses, while also providing a key connection between Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Holcomb Bridge Road, leading into downtown Norcross.
United Consulting conducted a Pavement Condition Evaluation Survey of the project area using the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Pavement Evaluation Format. This process included a visual survey of the project area and a detailed evaluation of a 500-foot section to determine a pavement condition index rating.
Based on experience with similar projects, United Consulting recommended expanding the analysis scope by increasing the number of cores sampling locations, enabling a more detailed assessment. Specifically, we collected 11 asphalt cores to evaluate pavement thickness and condition. Measurements of the graded aggregate base (GAB) beneath the asphalt revealed significant variations in the thickness of both the asphalt and GAB. Our assessment also determined that the center and travel lanes were in extremely poor condition.
Findings from United Consulting’s assessment informed the recommendation for full-depth pavement reconstruction. However, to reduce costs, our team of experts proposed an alternative approach: milling, inlaying, and overlaying the center and dedicated turn lanes while utilizing full-depth reclamation for the remaining roadway. This method reuses much of the existing pavement and graded aggregate base (GAB). The existing road material would be pulverized and blended to form a cement-stabilized reclaimed base (CSRB), which would then be overlaid with new asphalt. This approach provides a cost-effective solution while maintaining roadway integrity.
