A Unit Cost and Construction Specification Framework for Utility Installations

The Utility Accommodation Rules (UAR) prescribe minimums relative to the accommodation, location, installation, adjustment, and maintenance of utility facilities on the state right of way (ROW). The UAR only cover basic requirements, which makes it necessary to rely on additional guidelines, specifications, and special provisions to handle situations that are not covered by the rules. Because of the lack of standard utility installation construction specifications at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), many different versions of special specifications and special provisions exist around the state. Closely related to the need to standardize construction specifications for utility installations is the need to standardize methodologies and procedures for the determination of utility relocation costs. In practice, utility companies use a variety of ways to submit utility relocation costs for reimbursement. This lack of standardization translates into difficulties such as how to verify the validity of the cost data submitted for reimbursement and how to adequately prepare for audits and other internal and external inquiries. This report summarizes the work completed to develop a prototype framework of construction specification requirements and corresponding unit cost work items for utility installations at TxDOT and recommendations on how to implement that framework in Texas. The report includes a review of utility relocation and reimbursement practices, describes a prototype unit cost structure framework, describes a prototype framework for water and sanitary sewer specifications, discusses utility installation special provisions, and summarizes conclusions and recommendations for implementation.