From replacing a bridge located over a railroad line and below an active power line to relocating approximately $40 million of utility facilities, recipients of the Federal Highway Administration’s 2007 Excellence in Utility Relocation and Accommodation Awards displayed creativity and innovation in handling utility work for surface transportation improvement projects. Awards were presented this spring in five categories: Incentives for Utility Relocation, Innovation, Project Management, Leadership and Outstanding Individual Contributions. The awards recognize projects costing $100 million or less, as well as projects over $100 million.
For projects under $100 million, the Links I utility corridor in Florida was honored for its Incentives for Utility Relocation. The utility facilities for 12 companies were relocated to a new structure prior to the reconstruction of Rte. 60 in Tampa, reducing the project duration from seven to five years. The utilities are stacked vertically and staggered horizontally. A service road that also serves as a multiuse recreational trail was constructed on top of the utilities.
In the Innovation category, the Michigan Department of Transportation faced a tight budget and dangerous work conditions when replacing a bridge on I-96 located over a railroad line and below an active power line. By using an electronic sensing device and alarm attached to an operating crane, construction was accomplished around the utility line.
The Peachtree Boulevard Project in downtown Atlanta was recognized for its project management. To aid in the reconstruction of a 0.42-mile section of densely populated and heavily traveled roadway, the Georgia Department of Transportation used subsurface utility engineering to identify, verify, map and coordinate the adjustment or relocation of 48,000 ft of utility facilities for 10 different companies.
For projects over $100 million, the Intercounty Connector (ICC) in Maryland won for its Incentives for Utility Relocation. As part of five design-build contracts to construct the ICC, the Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) offered compelling incentives to 15 utility companies to relocate approximately $40 million of utility facilities. MSHA agreed to pay 100% of the relocation costs for each utility company, resulting in a win/win situation for everyone.
Honored in the Innovation category, the Texas Department of Transportation created a “developer managed” model to accomplish utility adjustments and relocations for its State Highway 130 Toll Road project. The project involved 52 utility companies and more than 650 utility adjustments.
Partnering also was important in the replacement of the I-10 bridges over Florida’s Escambia Bay when the bridges were severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. After the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded a $245 million design-build contract to construct a new bridge, FDOT worked with utility companies to relocate or adjust their facilities. All of the relocations were accomplished within six months of the project notification, winning the Project Management award.
For a listing of all the winners, visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/utilities/index.cfm.
