Abstract Manager

There are several considerations that go into designing a transportation project and one of the most difficult tasks in a renewal scenario is working around the existing utility layout.

The planning stage for the renewal project starts years before construction and simultaneously the utility coordination activities start. Circulating a concept plan to utility partners and having them complete a condition assessment of all utilities in the proposed project area will determine if any upgrades or maintenance is required to their infrastructure. This is a necessary communication point as any upcoming utility work could affect the transportation project construction timeline or waste portions of the newly constructed project work.

A review of pipelines and transmission power lines in the project area should be completed to determine which need crossing or proximity agreements. A drainage assessment may be required for the transportation project area if changes are made to the existing drainage catchments or if there are issues with the existing conveyance of drainage. This could lead to additional drainage infrastructure being required for the project.

If the transportation project is like most and includes changes to curblines, confirm the new curblines work with the existing surface and underground utilities. Verify all proposed drainage infrastructure will work with existing utilities and trees. If the ideal curb alignments require utility relocates, discussions are required with utility partners to confirm if relocates are possible and what can be completed in advance of the transportation project start date.

As the project moves into detailed design, applying an accessibility lens by ensuring proposed pedestrian pathways are clear of surface utilities and moving catch basins outside curb ramp alignments is key. For catch basins that take in a lot of drainage, the cover should be placed upstream of the curb ramp. When grading for the project is near finalization, confirm if additional surface utilities are impacted by grade changes.

As the design and grading evolves throughout detailed design and if utilities are being relocated, keep utility partners in the loop on any changes on the transportation project horizontal alignments, grades or construction schedule. If multiple utility partners are impacted by specific utility relocations it may be helpful to hold regular utility coordination meetings.

Designing a Transportation Project has several steps in the process and utility coordination is key throughout the entire design. Focusing on utilities throughout the design is a lot easier than running into clearance issues and hold ups during construction.