Construction Area Engineers Perspective on Effective Utility Coordination

Construction Area Engineer’s Perspective on Effective Utility Coordination

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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 ~ $260 K

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 ~ $64 K (support) + backfill inefficiency cost (still in dispute)

MSE Wall Plan View

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

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

Suspended Duct Bank

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

More Lessons Learned

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

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

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