Hi Stephanie, My first question is, why are the culverts being replaced? Are they not able to be rehabilitated?
On Task 7 I would add ... "per ASCE Standard 38." You may also want to refer to the ASCE document, "Subsurface Utility Engineering:
Guide for Municipalities". I would also consider involvement in the ASCE Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) and the APWA Utilities & Public Rights of Way Committee (UPROW). More info is available at the ASCE & APWA websites.
7.2 Why are the utilities providing the potholes? The project should perform and pay for them as a part of the project.
7.3 The information from the potholing should be provided to the consultant in a format so no field visit is necessary to confirm.
7.4 Coordination with the utility owners' representatives throughout the project design process should be continuous via regularly scheduled meetings so the design team and all utility owners are aware of what's happening and what is planned. There should be no surprises.
Thanks for your interest in the issue!!
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Al Field, Aff.M.ASCE
President
Al Field & Associates
Phoenix, AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-16-2020 19:23
From: Stephanie Sullivan
Subject: What is Utility Coordination?
The below is written for a City-sponsored culvert replacement project under a major arterial with water, sewer, and gas. Assumptions include the following: relocating sewer will not be necessary, water may require relocation and design which will be addressed in the alternatives analysis and final plans, and gas main and telecommunications relocation will be designed by the utility purveyors.
I welcome thoughts to improve for future use!
Task 7
The objective of this task is to confirm existing utilities locations and coordinate with utility companies. E.g. We could add clarification here of the purpose to facilitate utility relocation to prevent project delays.
7.1 Coordinate Utility Markings. The Consultant will coordinate the location and extents of utility locates to be completed in Task 3 (Survey and Easements).
7.2 Coordinate Potholing. After the preliminary survey base map with utility locations is completed in Task 3, the Consultant will help identify utility pothole locations to be provided by utility owners.
7.3 Site Visit to Confirm Utility Locations: The Consultant will visit the site after preliminary survey base map with utility locations is completed in Task 3.
7.4 Coordinate with Utility Purveyors. The Consultant has budgeted time to correspond and meet with utility purveyors regarding existing utilities, potential relocations and other requirements for the culvert crossing (e.g., casing pipes).
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Stephanie Sullivan P.E., M.ASCE
Associate Engineer - Stormwater
Woodinville WA
Original Message:
Sent: 08-19-2019 14:43
From: Al Field
Subject: What is Utility Coordination?
Thank you for your response, James. I am looking for the wording of a specification or standard that can be inserted into a Request For Proposal telling a consultant or contractor what they are expected to do during the project development.
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Al Field Aff.M.ASCE
President
Al Field & Associates
Chair, APWA UPROW Committee
Phoenix, AZ
Original Message:
Sent: 08-19-2019 13:00
From: James Anderson
Subject: What is Utility Coordination?
I was the Utility Coordinator for City of Fort Worth construction projects for several years. First and foremost I expected Utility Companies to be able to identify the location of their facilities prior to beginning of design, hopefully to avoid the need to relocate in the first place. Once preliminary design was firmed up, to identify the extent of any relocation required, how long it would take, what other utilities would be impacted, and impact on traffic and adjacent business operations. This typically required monthly meetings with all Utility companies represented able to provide current status on all relocation projects underway. Costs of utility relocation were not typically a consideration for the City but perhaps they should be as those costs will eventually get passed along to the Utility customer who are also city residents. Utility companies frequently used required relocation for City projects to upgrade their facilities, PVC and Ductile Iron in lieu of Cast Iron, plastic gas lines in lieu of metal, PVC in lieu of clay for sewer, etc.
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James Anderson, MASCE
Principal
Anderson Consulting
North Richland Hills, TX
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2019 10:09
From: Al Field
Subject: What is Utility Coordination?
Various entities have their own description and understanding of what Utility Coordination includes. This leads to confusion between agencies and designers/consultants/contractors about the details.
We at the UESI are interested in clarifying the issue and developing a universally accepted description/definition/scope of what agencies expect when they specify Utility Coordination for their projects. What does your expectation include?
Thank You!
Al Field
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