1. Construction Area Engineer’s Perspective on Effective Utility Coordination

2. Construction Considerations
Timing of Letting
Utility Work in Advance of the Letting
Accessibility and Clearance of Construction Equipment – Aerial
Vertical and Horizontal Clearance – Underground

3. Construction Considerations
Schedule – Critical Path, Concurrent Operations
Ongoing Coordination and Communications Through Relocation Completion

4. Timing of Letting
April 1 – October 1 cannot clear trees due to permit restrictions related to endangered bats
Assume 1 month minimum from Letting to NTP plus 2 weeks to mobilize, get subs approved
Total lead time from letting to start of construction is 6 weeks, minimum.
February letting is cutting it close, March lettings will not have time for clearing prior to April 1.
Workarounds – Separate clearing Contract or Owner self perform clearing prior to letting (address this in bid documents)

5. Utility Work in Advance of Letting
Update utilities RSP 107-R-169 prior to letting with latest information regarding utilities commitments/deadlines/requirements
If a utility performs and completes relocation work in advance of the letting, ensure this information is conveyed to bidders
If a utility work plan is updated close to the letting date, ensure RSP 107-R-169 is updated, as well (pre-letting revision process)

6. Accessibility and Clearance of Construction Equipment – Aerial
Assess equipment needs for construction
Cranes – boom, swing
Pile driving
Beam Setting
Excavators
Pipe and structure installation
What are OSHA Vertical and Horizontal Clearances for Power Lines???
Dependent on voltage
Verify with the utility and take into account

7. Vertical and Horizontal Clearance – Underground
Operations to consider
Pipe and pipe structures (manholes, inlets, catch basins)
Foundations – signal, sign, lighting, bridge, box culverts, wingwalls, MSE walls, retaining walls
Piling
Conduits / wiring

8. Vertical and Horizontal Clearance – Underground
Operations to consider
Fence along R/W – fence installers will not auger within 3 feet of a located utility.
HAND DIGGING IS EXPENSIVE!!!
Guardrail
Undercutting soft soils
Subgrade treatment with chemical modification

9. Schedule – Critical Path, Concurrent Operations
Utility relocation critical path needs to be identified by the utility coordinator and communicated to the project team
Coordinate with multiple utilities to work simultaneously where possible
Identify which construction operations can commence during utility relocation phase and identify limitations

10. Schedule – Critical Path, Concurrent Operations
Condense relocation schedules, where possible
Communicate opportunities/requirements to bidders to sequence operations and work concurrently with utility relocation efforts
Unique special provisions
Project phasing

11. Coordination Through Completion
Communicate Critical Path areas and utilities of concern to:
Project Owner
Project Manager
Construction Area Engineer
Designer
(Manage expectations!!!)
Give the team all information needed to combat challenges before they become schedule and budget busters!

12. Coordination Through Completion
Inspection during relocation is critical to ensure plans are properly executed, conflicts are avoided, and schedules are met
Mitigation is KEY!
Ongoing communication with the project team during relocation efforts
Hold regular utility progress meetings until completed

13. Contract Documents
If it is not in the contract documents, the contractor cannot know about it and cannot bid it! Uncertainty = Risk = More $$$ in the bids

14. Past Experience – Lessons Learned
Relocated electric transmission line
Bridge piling directly below, crane clearance not anticipated
Second, reimbursable temporary relocation required

15. Past Experience – Lessons Learned
Aerial Electric Line slightly offset from new storm sewer trunkline
OSHA minimum clearance could not be maintained
More timely option was to change storm sewer from planned location
Had to thread the needle with numerous underground utilities and close roadway to open cut
Cost ~ $260K

16. Past Experience – Lessons Learned
MSE Wall Excavation and Backfill
Utility Coordination eliminated conflict with MSE wall and leveling pad at crossing points
Length and depth of backfill (Strap Length) was not accounted for
Communication utility had to be suspended in mid-air for full excavation and backfill to occur
Cost ~ $64K (support) + backfill inefficiency cost (still in dispute)

17. MSE Wall Plan View

18. MSE Wall Profile View Taller Wall = longer straps
Notice steps in leveling pad

19. Suspended Duct Bank
“(4-4” PVC in Duct)”…

20. Suspended Duct Bank

21. MSE Walls
Consider not just where a utility interfaces with an MSE wall, but also where the utility interfaces with the MSE wall excavation and backfill zone, which extends a great distance behind the MSE wall

22. More Lessons Learned

23. Consider Power Service Points
Provide signal and lighting plans to utilities
If they do not have all the plans, they cannot develop relocation plans that provide service

24. Ensure Utilities Follow the Plan
If a utility says they are going to go aerial, make sure they INTEND to go aerial
Clearing costs are incurred unnecessarily if the utility ends up boring through a formerly wooded area, for example

25. Long Relocation Timeframes
Contractors bid what they are given in RSP 107-R-169, so if a long relocation timeframe is stated, bidders must assume the utility will take the entire time
Work with utilities to MINIMIZE stated timeframes to something REASONABLE