Page 7 - TN811 2022 issue 4

that the prevention of cross bores starts with educating the public and utility contractors on the dangers they can cause.
“It is so important to get in front of these projects and help the contract workers and utility staff identify potential crossings prior to construction,” Mr. Smith said. “A full SUE investigation can prevent cross bores from being created. Homes and buildings need these utilities, but we need them to be installed safely and correctly.”
If a cross bore was installed, SUE technicians would also
be able to identify them during their after-construction inspection. Some of the ways SUE field staff investigate
a site include sewer tunnel equipment, GIS mapping and cameras. All investigations progress through four quality levels from D to A, ranging from collecting previous as-builts and other records for the location to drilling holes to test the investigation’s accuracy. All data collected can also be adjusted and shared as needed, sharing the wealth for future projects. Deliverables vary depending on the project but often include field data, test hole data, and designation data digitally saved in a CAD file or GIS map.
Overall, cross bores are a serious threat to service workers, homeowners and the communities they surround. The inclusion of a SUE investigation can not only prevent the creation of a new dangerous intersection but identify the risks before it’s too late.
Tre Hayes is the Senior SUE Manager for Colliers Engineering & Design | Dallas Jason Smith is the SUE Manager for Colliers Engineering & Design | Nashville
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2022, Issue 4
Tennessee811 • 5