Responsible Party

TxDOT Project Design Engineer

Necessary Parties

Utility Design Representative
TxDOT Design Consultant
TxDOT Design Team
TxDOT Utility Liaison

Interested Parties

TxDOT Project Construction Engineer
Utility Inspector
LPA representatives
Other TxDOT Parties as Applicable

Cooperative discussion of TxDOT and utility design concepts and criteria.

Discussion of right of way issues.

Discussion of utility adjustment issues.

Discussion of utility bid process and contracting options.

Discussion of design schedules and construction time line for all entities.

Set date or schedule for Progress Tracking Meeting(s).

The Design Conference provides a forum to discuss potential utility impacts and promote cooperative solutions before the development of more detailed preliminary design. The participants will exchange the field verification results, investigate alternatives, and propose recommendations to minimize impacts. To facilitate this discussion, the TxDOT Project Design Engineer should present at this meeting anticipated location and type of drainage facilities, structures, and other roadside features.

Right of way issues to be discussed may include adequacy of the proposed right of way, sequencing of parcel acquisition critical to anticipated construction phasing, utility accommodations, environmental concerns and obstacles (e.g., petroleum storage tank systems (PSTS), hazardous materials).

Utility issues to be discussed may include necessity, justification, and scope of work for any proposed utility adjustment, UAR compliance, and possible TxDOT design modifications to minimize utility conflicts. Contracting options for utility adjustments to be considered are work to be performed by the utility, joint bids between utilities and incorporation of the utility work in the transportation project contract. Other issues that may be applicable are Advance Funding Agreement For Voluntary Utility Relocation Contributions On State Highway Improvement Projects for non-reimbursable utility work included in the TxDOT Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E).

The Design Conference will provide an initial opportunity to integrate the projected construction time lines of all parties with the TxDOT design schedule. Consideration should also be given to setting the schedule for the first Intermediate Design Meeting ( ).