UTILITIES AND DESIGN. Design Transportation Projects with Utilities in Mind. Lora Gunter, Fort Worth District Paul Fierro, ROW Division

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1 UTILITIES AND DESIGN Design Transportation Projects with Utilities in Mind Lora Gunter, Fort Worth District Paul Fierro, ROW Division 10/12/16

2 State of Utilities UTILITIES SPOTLIGHT Legislative Interest TxDOT Administration Focus ROW Division Emphasis 49

3 Ready to Let Memo 50

4 New TxDOT Standard for Letting LET DATE IS NOW READY TO LET ROW cleared Utility Agreements in Place and Relocations in Progress *cleared sufficiently to proceed into construction without delays 51

5 Utilities in ROW UTILITY USE OF ROW State Law Allows Public Utilities in ROW Public Utilities in State ROW by Permit Private Utilities May Cross ROW by Permit Saltwater Lines by Lease 52

6 Highway Projects Interfere with Existing Utilities HIGHWAY PROJECT IMPACTS Expansion of Right-of-Way No Right-of-Way, but Other Design Effects Traffic/Signal Projects Simple Projects with Driveway Culverts 53

7 Highway Projects Interfere with Existing Utilities DESIGNERS SHOULD CONSIDER: Interim Roadway Conditions Ultimate Roadway Conditions Transitions at Project Limit Ends Future Expansion Interstate vs. Non-Interstate Projects 54

8 Role of Highway Utilities People UTILITY FUNCTIONS Utility Investigation Design/Utility Engineering Utility Coordination 55

9 Utilities Scavenger Hunt UTILITY INVESTIGATION Site Visits SUE Studies 56

10 Utilities Scavenger Hunt UTILITY INVESTIGATION Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Level D Utility Records Research, Visual Above-ground Inspection, Institutional Knowledge Level C Surveying & Plotting Data Level B Determine Position of Subsurface Utilities Relative to Plans Level A Excavation and Exposure (Test holes) 57

11 Design/Utility Engineering UTILITY ENGINEERING Identify Conflicts Attempt to: Design Around (Avoid) Lessen the Impact (Minimize) Advise to Relocate (Accommodate) 58

12 Utility Coordination UTILITY COORDINATION Contact Utility Companies Identify Conflicts Conduct Meetings Review Utility Plans Assemble Agreements Monitor Physical Relocation 59

13 Reversal of Approach A M A Avoid Minimize Accommodate 60

14 Design Goals Avoid and Minimize saves Money saves Time 61

15 Avoid Example 62

16 Avoid Example 63

17 No Attempt at Avoid and Mitigate Accommodate x x costs Money costs Time 64

18 Monetary Costs 65

19 Monetary Costs Reimbursable Relocations 100% Interstate 50% Toll Ratio Property Interest 66

20 BUY AMERICA Provisions 67

21 Time Elements 1 SUE (including: contracting time up to 90 days; work 90 days) 180 days Develop Conflict Matrix Utility Coordination (Utility Kickoff Meeting & subsequent meetings) Agreements, if reimbursable 30 days 60 days & ongoing 45 days 5 Utilities Develop Plans 60 days 6 Utilities Order Materials, Get Contractor Lined Up 60 days Actual Utility Relocation Construction days/ea 16.5 Months for ONE Utility Line 68

22 Combined Transportation Utility Construction (CTUC) Joint Bidding 69

23 Advanced Funding Agreements (AFA) 70

24 Utility Issues ISSUES IN PROCESS Construction Delays/Not on Schedule Lack of Consideration of Utility Company s Focus Identification of Existing Utilities Last Minute Design Changes Lack of Meetings/Communication/Information Lack of Standardized Processes Across the State Inadequate Training Scarce Time/People/Resources Independent Section Operations 71

25 Traditional Working Groups UTILITIES ROW DESIGN CONSTRUCTION 72

26 Ideal Working Groups UTILITIES ROW DESIGN CONSTRUCTION 73

27 Potential Solutions NEEDED CHANGES Make Utility Considerations EARLY!!! Early Utility Investigation/SUE Utility Engineering/Prioritize the Avoid Concept Meet Early & Often (Internally and Externally) Training/Education Change the Us vs. Them Mentality Establish reliable methods of estimating reimbursable utility costs Usable Plans at 30% Simplification of Bureaucratic Procedures Communication 74

28 Working Solutions CHANGES IN THE WORKS Agency Prioritization of Utilities Emphasis on Avoid as First Option Initiative to Establish Relationships with Utility Industry Agency Project Portfolio Management System ROW Division Support for Change SHRP2 Training 75

29 Contact Information LORA GUNTER, J.D., SR/WA DISTRICT FIELD SERVICES MANAGER TxDOT- Fort Worth District 2501 Southwest Loop 820 Fort Worth, TX direct cell PAUL FIERRO RW/PD UTILITY SPECIALIST TxDOT- ROW Division 2501 Southwest Loop 820 Fort Worth, TX direct X cell 76