By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 6, 2026 | Today, let’s address Gwinnett County’s solid smooth road system. It’s great to cruise along on roads that are not bumpy, and free of potholes and bad paving, and feel the smoothness of the 2,700 miles of roadway that our county maintains.
Gwinnett’s Transportation Department keeps roads smooth through a combination of proactive, scheduled maintenance and rapid responsive repairs. They resurface, repave, patch with asphalt and seal cracks.
For 2026 alone, the county is planning to re-pave 241 miles of road, which is taking on a big job. In the last 10 years, they have resurfaced over 1,000 miles of roadway. Asphalt plants don’t open during cold weather. The plants operate when the air temperature is 45 degrees and rising.
- For a list of the roads to be repaved in 2026, click here.
Tommy Whitlock, construction manager who oversees roadway resurfacing for Gwinnett, says that the county surveys its roads every three years to see what type of work is needed. The roads to be repaved are based on an evaluation score.
Whitlock says: “This year there are nine major contracts for three major roads, and six residential contracts. The majority of the work is anticipated to be completed by October 31.” The major road work will be done by Triple R of Morrow, while the residential roadwork will be contracted to Scruggs Company, dba Sunbelt Asphalt of Auburn.
What will happen is that the contractor will mill the road to remove the top layer of old, damaged pavement, readying the surface for the new asphalt. The contractor will also patch and repair potholes. Then comes the full depth reclamation pulverizing the old road and base to make a new, stabilized foundation.
Also recognize the importance of keeping ditches, pipes and catch basins clear, to prevent water from pooling and damaging a road surface. Shoulders of the road must sometimes be graded to make sure the asphalt shoulders are level with the roadway.
The year’s work begins with the evaluation, where the department rates roads, checking for cracks and depressions in the roadway. They also take inventory of sidewalks, catch basins and guard rails. Helping to pinpoint where roadwork is needed is done by a modern invention, the laser. Evaluation this year will determine which roads will be in line for work in 2027.
Our neighborhood in Norcross has a newly-paved entrance to our subdivision that drives mighty smooth these days. Work on removing the top layer of asphalt began in late January when we had some warm weather. But then the weather turned cold….and for three weeks we drove on rough roads awaiting a new layer of asphalt. Finally the work was finished, and we can drive and smile at the smoothness of repaved Sunset Drive.
Fortunately, people all over Gwinnett are generally enjoying these smooth roads.
It’s good government paying attention to the details, keeping up, and looking to the future.
A salute to Edward Aponte, our county transportation director, for leading this department. Next time you drive, appreciate the smooth Gwinnett roads!
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