Phase III: Mn/DOT Utility Coordination Implementation - Local Agencies, Utility Owners, Consultants

Project summary:

A thoughtful implementation strategy plays an important role in the successful adoption of the new utility coordination process. The implementation of the new Mn/DOT utility coordination process affected existing roles and responsibilities of Mn/DOT personnel, consultants, utility owners, and local agencies involved with utility coordination. Consequently, unforeseen implementation issues were expected to surface as Mn/DOT began to apply the new utility coordination process. The Mn/DOT Utility Coordination Implementation Phase III expanded specific training for Minnesota city and county personnel who were coordinating utilities on Mn/DOT trunk highway right-of-way, as well as utility owners, with the goal of improving understanding of the Mn/DOT coordination process and their associated roles and responsibilities. In addition, a Consultant Utility Coordination Reference Guide was developed to assist consultants in effectively performing utility coordination on Mn/DOT projects. To aid in the continued communication outreach, support was provided to strengthen the Mn/DOT Utility Section Web site, to document case study successes, and to prepare a presenter packet for Mn/DOT managers to reinforce the new 15-step process. Finally, a framework to launch the new Mn/DOT Statewide Utility Coordination Group was developed in order to position the Mn/DOT Utility Section to conduct the first Statewide Coordination Group meeting.