The District’s letter of authority to the utility designates the authorized TxDOT Utility Liaison to be contacted before and during the construction stage. The TxDOT Utility Liaison should be as familiar with utility adjustments on the construction project as he or she would be with the transportation project construction plans and specifications, and should also be familiar with transportation project drainage, design, and construction practices. The TxDOT Utility Liaison’s ability to identify possible conflicts between the transportation project and utility designs can help make utility adjustments accomplish their intended purpose.

The District Engineer or designee is responsible for inspection of utility adjustments and may designate a separate utility inspector for the project. The TxDOT Project Construction Engineer becomes the primary responsible party for utility work and coordination upon award of the contract. This person could be an area engineer, a special project engineer, or a qualified appointee.

The transition from design to construction should not be a definite phase point but rather a gradual change with the TxDOT Utility Liaison being consulted and advised. The TxDOT Project Construction Engineer must be familiar with the basic design of the project.

The TxDOT Utility Liaison is responsible for assuring that adequate communication and coordination occurs between the appropriate participants, and is the direct link between the utility, the District, and ROW Division personnel.

The TxDOT Project Construction Engineer must be aware of the need for accomplishing all utility adjustment work as early as possible, including those adjustments that may have to be accomplished during transportation project construction. In some instances, adjustments may be deferred until a particular transportation construction phase is started or completed, as required. For example:

sizable roadway cuts to minimize utility excavation costs;
the need for main lane closures for more than a day.