Integration of Utility Coordination and Highway Design

Utility relocations have been cited as one of the main causes of highway project construction delays. As in other states, utility work associated with highway projects presents many challenges to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), who has funded this project to investigate how to improve the integration between the utility coordination and highway design processes in KYTC projects. To achieve this objective, the research team (1) mapped and analyzed the KYTC current highway design and utility coordination processes, (2) conducted a comprehensive literature review to determine utility coordination strategies to be incorporated into the KYTC\u27s current procedures,(3) developed a proposed approach to improve the alignment and the integration between the utility coordination and highway design processes, (4) defined specific roles and responsibilities for implementing the proposed integrated approach, and (5) developed a guidance document to assists in the implementation of the proposed approach. All this work has been conducted in a collaborative effort with the KYTC Study Advisory Committee, who has provided feedback to validate the applicability of the research findings in KYTC projects. The findings of this research effort include different utility coordination strategies and practices grouped into seven categories - change of mindset (partnership), early involvement of utility companies in the design process, aligned project goals, management of communication and utility companies’ engagement, increased use of SUE, use of Utility Conflict Matrices, and constructability reviews – that are the base of the proposed approach to improve the integration between the utility coordination and highway design processes at KYTC