Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Project Experience
Loop 1604 / US 281
Quality Level B & A SUE Services
Computer Science Corporation
Quality Level B SUE Services / Utility Coordination
Dallas Pavilion Plaza
Quality Level B SUE Services
U.T. Austin – Proposed Fire Protection Plan at Speedway
SUE Quality Level B & A Services
Austin Community College , Rio Grande Campus Fire Line Improvements
SUE Quality Level B & A Services
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
SUE Quality Levels D, C, B & A
Loop 1604 / US 281
Quality Level B & A SUE Services
SAM, Inc. was originally contracted to provide utility coordination, field location of paint marks for underground utilities as designated and marked by the individual utility providers, and quality level A SUE services to include eighty (80) test holes. One-call tickets were initiated to identify all utility providers within the project limits to be contacted by SAM, Inc. and begin designation of their respective underground utilities. Due to the lack of timely response, the original scope was amended and SAM, Inc. was contracted to provide quality level B SUE services for all underground utilities within the project limits. We were able to absorb these substantial additional services and maintain the original delivery schedule by utilizing additional field crew personnel who are fully equipped and trained for SUE services.
Record utility maps were obtained for each underground utility. The record utility maps were compiled to create a feature inventory for developing utility ownership and for comparison with the record information. From these maps SAM, Inc. began the designation and field location of visible utilities and paint marks identifying underground utilities. Horizontal positions of manholes and vertical positions at the rim, inverts, and identification of incoming lines were determined for all wastewater and storm sewer features. All curb inlets within the project limits were located at the curb and gutter. Power poles and sag points on overhead electrical transmission lines were located horizontally and vertically. Street and traffic control lighting were located as well as the top of nuts on existing water and gas valves. In short, horizontal and vertical positions were established on all visible utilities and designated and marked underground utilities within the 6.4 mile project. All utility locations were obtained with conventional surveying techniques using total stations with electronic distance measurements (EDM’s).
Since both horizontal and vertical component of each located utility feature were critical in the design, the use of this equipment combined with a field procedure of limiting the length of each measurement provided the required accuracy and precision. The use of RTK GPS surveying is an alternate method with which to obtain the same type of survey information for utility location and has been used effectively for this purpose. However the inherent vertical error budget of 0.07-feet ± associated with this application ruled out its use in an urban project such as this. Upon completion of the field surveys, a Microstation© .dgn plan was developed to show the type, diameter, material, active\inactive status and location of all surveyed visible utility feature and located and marked underground feature. After field visits by SAM, Inc. engineers for QA\QC and office review, the plans were submitted to each utility company for review and verification. Final plans were developed and submitted to the client within the original project deadline and contracted fee estimate.
Computer Science Corporation
Quality Level B SUE Services / Utility Coordination
This 11 City block area of downtown Austin, Texas, required new primary electrical duct banks to service the CSC complex. Existing utilities were identified, located, and mapped within these streets and provided to the project designer. The information collected was used in the design phase of the project for alleviating new improvement conflicts with existing utility systems and for ensuring continuous construction operations of the new improvements.
The utility coordination consisted of surveying, mapping and contacting all utility companies in the downtown area for the purpose of abandoning and/or relocating existing utilities. SAM, Inc. coordinated all utility permit requests for the City of Austin for the construction of new utilities for the downtown area. SAM, Inc. coordinated and allocated specific utility assignments to utility companies through the permitting process and provided proposed construction plan approvals for compliance for permitting of all utilities.
Dallas Pavilion Plaza
Quality Level B SUE Services
This project consists of providing major improvements on South Market Street, Elm Street to Records Building, Main Street to Records Building and the existing plaza within this area. Accurate records of existing utility information were not available to the design engineer. Existing utilities were located so the new improvements could be designed around existing utilities or that relocation designs of existing utilities could be incorporated within the design plans. Quality Level B (QL-B) services were provided for approximately 11,120 linear feet of existing utilities found within the project limits. These utilities were designated and marked in the field, surveyed to the project's monumentation and mapped in the electronic format required by the Client.
U.T. Austin - Proposed Fire Protection Plan at Speedway
SUE Quality Level B & A Services
This project consisted of providing Quality Level B (QL-B) and Quality Level A (QL-A) services for approximately 12,000 linear feet of roadway on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Phase I was located along Speedway , for 2,150 linear feet . SAM, Inc. identified, located and mapped all existing underground utilities, and completed eighteen (18) Test Holes to determine the horizontal and vertical location of the utilities. Phase II was located around Speedway on various roadways for 10,000 linear feet and designated water, wastewater, primary and secondary electrical, storm drainage, gas, fiber optic, and telephone for all active and/or abandoned underground lines . SAM, Inc. completed thirty-eight (38) Test Holes to determine the horizontal and vertical location at the critical utility crossings of the proposed fire loop.
Austin Community College, Rio Grande Campus Fire Line Improvements
SUE Quality Level B & A Services
This project was a part of the 6-inch ductile iron Fire Line design starting at the west right of way of West Avenue and continued east across West Avenue to the ACC campus building. All utilities along West Avenue were designated and mapped as a part of the Quality Level B (QL-B) effort for approximately 600 linear feet of roadway.. Quality Level A (QL-A) services of the designated utilities crossing the proposed fire water line consisted of five (five) Test Holes on gas, water, and wastewater lines.
Texas Tech University, Lubbock , TX
SUE Quality Levels D, C, B & A
This campus expansion project consisted of four (4) separate areas within the main campus of TTU. TTU proposed new building additions requiring additional utility needs. SAM, Inc. provided subsurface utility engineering Quality Levels D, C, B & A services for this project so that the new utilities would not conflict with the existing utility systems. This required the identification, locating and mapping of existing underground utility systems and overhead utility systems. This project consisted of mapping utility systems consisting of cable TV, electrical for traffic and street lighting systems, natural gas, three and single phase electrical systems, communication, fiber optic, water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems. Once the horizontal locations of the utility systems were mapped, SAM, Inc. exposed the existing utilities at critical areas that were in conflict with proposed improvements. SAM, Inc. utilized vacuum excavation technology (safe-dig procedures) for exposing the utility. SAM, Inc. then surveyed the precise horizontal and vertical location of the utility for trying the resolve the conflict with new improvements. Utility coordination was provided for the SUE services. Quality Levels D (record collection of existing systems) and Quality Level C (field surveys of existing, visible utility surface features) were also provided by SAM, Inc.