A recent survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America has highlighted significant issues with the marking of utility lines. The report indicates that nearly two-thirds of utility line strikes by contractors in the past year were due to lines being marked incorrectly after calling 811, a number designated for excavation notifications.
Jeffrey Shoaf, CEO of the association, stated, “Contractors are doing their part to make sure they avoid striking utility lines while they are working. But it is hard to avoid hitting a line if the utility company says it is one place when it is really somewhere else.”
The survey revealed that 64% of respondents encountered situations where utility lines were at least two feet away from their marked locations. Despite 99% of firms adhering to the protocol of using the 811 system before excavation and 95% being aware of local laws regarding its use, delays remain a concern.
Eighty-seven percent reported waiting more than one business day for locators to arrive, and a quarter experienced waits exceeding five business days. Notably, telecom companies were identified as more than twice as likely to cause delays compared to other utilities.
To mitigate these challenges, many construction firms have invested in new technologies such as ground-penetrating radar (41%), drones and aerial surveys (21%), and GIS-integrated 3-D mapping tools (13%).
Association officials are advocating for enhancements to the 811 system for timelier and accurate markings. They urge updates in federal pipeline safety legislation to support state notification centers and encourage states to amend existing locating laws and adopt new technologies.
