1. Managing Utilities The Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program
Ken Stayer PBQ&D
AASHTO/FHWA 2005 Right of Way
and Utilities Subcommittee Conference
May 18, 2005

2. Project Limits Overview

3. KATY FREEWAY RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Construction Cost Estimate
CLAY RD.
HEMPSTEAD
ADDICKS
RESERVOIR
BLALOCK
290
FRY RD.
MASON
BARKER
CYPRESS
S H 6
ELDRIDGE
FRANZ
FRANZ
WILCREST
BELTWAY 8
GESSNER
BINGLE
WIRT
KIRKWOOD
ANTOINE
COLONIAL PKWY
DAIRY ASHFORD
WESTVIEW
POST OAK
ECHO
VOSS
PARKWAY
GRAND
ROSENER
BARKER
CLODINE
MEMORIAL
CHIMNEY
ROCK
HIGHLAND
KNOLL
BRIAR FOREST
SAN FELIPE
Preliminary Subject to Change
BARKER RESERVOIR
WESTHEIMER
RICHMOND
WEST PARK
Construction Package
Contract A B C1 C2 D E1 E2 F G
Utility Cost Estimate
$3 Million
$41 Million
$18 Million
$25 Million
$71 Million
$56 Million
$42 Million
$62 Million
TBD
Proposed Letting Date
7/2003
5/2003
3/2005
12/2004
7/2004
1/2005
2/2005
1/2007
End of
Construction
7/2006
6/2006
8/2008
12/2008
11/2008
12/2007
3/2009
Construction Cost Estimate
$83 Million*
$208 Million*
$153 Million*
$84 Million*
$250 Million*
$204 Million*
$158 Million*
$263 Million*
$38 Million
The seven proposed construction contracts were jointly designed by ten engineering design companies, all working to develop the final plans.
Break points between projects were selected to optimize constructability of any transitions that might be needed.
*Actual Low Bid Amount
Texas Department of Transportation
Vegetative Landscaping, Aesthetic Walls and Final Signing/Striping will be awarded as separate contracts.

4. Looking East at Kirkwood
Typical Freeway Condition
Looking East at Kirkwood

5. The Reconstruction Program
Reconstruction of 25 miles of Interstate Freeway under traffic; including 2 miles on I-610
2 Freeway-Freeway Interchanges
27 Grade Separated Intersections
One of the Largest Highway Construction Projects in the State’s History
First Project in the Nation to Construct Toll Lanes on an Existing Interstate Highway
Nine Major Construction Contracts
$318.4 Million of Utility Adjustment Cost

6. Program “Firsts” Largest TxDOT Project
Use of Major Investment Study (MIS) Process
Corridor-Wide Program (Not Individual Projects)
Use of General Engineering Consultant (GEC) for Design and Construction Inspection
Fast Track Implementation of Program
Addition of Toll Road in Median of Interstate
Twice the Normal Lettings Schedule
Outsourcing ROW Acquisition Activities on Corridor Basis

7. Role of the GEC for Utilities
Phase I - Design
Be a Surrogate for TxDOT
Establish Project-wide Standards & Criteria
Coordinate Utility Designs with 10 Roadway Section Design Consultants (SDC) and 32 Utility Companies
Distribute Design Plans and Host 30%, 60%, 70%, 90% and 100% Utility Design Coordination Meetings
Provide Utility Agreement Review as Requested by TxDOT
Develop and Coordinate ROWD Approval of Utility Exceptions to Policy
Develop and Maintain a ROW and Utility Adjustment Status Tracking Documents
Develop and Maintain the Utility and ROW Sections of a Project Website

8. Existing Utilities @ Beltway 8 From Level B SUE

9. Early Conceptual Section

10. Proposed Utilities @ Beltway 8

11. Proposed Section West of Beltway 8

12. Proposed Section @ SBC Manhole West of Beltway 8

13. Role of GEC for Utilities
Phase II – Construction
Be a Surrogate for TxDOT Utility Inspection Services
Submit Weekly Inspector Diaries, SW3P Reports, Construction Progress Reports, Survey Information Photographs and Maintain Redline Plan Sets.
Establish Project-wide Standards & Criteria
Coordinate Utility Field Change Reviews with SDC’s and Potentially Affected Utilities
Host and Attend various Utility Construction Coordination Meetings
Distribute Weekly Utility Conflict List and Schedules for Partnering Meetings

14. Role of GEC for Utilities
Schedule Utility Attendance at Weekly Partnering Meetings as Required to Update Schedules
Develop and Coordinate Solutions for Utility Conflicts Identified During Construction
Develop and Maintain ROW Status Tracking for Vacate Dates, Utility Disconnects/Reconnects, ACM Testing and Contractor Removals
Maintain the Utility and ROW Sections of Project Website for Roadway Change Order Transmittals
Maintain Utility and ROW Composite Mapping
Provide Inspection of 48 to 52 Utility Contractors Working on the Corridor Weekly

15. Challenge & Issues TxDOT Use of GEC for Utility Inspection
Temporary Utility Adjustments
Potential Impacts of Construction Delays
Maintenance of Milestone Schedules
Consistency Across Projects
ROW Acquisition, Testing, Disconnects and Clearing
Impact to Adjacent Properties
Permanent Utility Relocations Construction Sequence
Traffic Maintenance

16. CenterPoint Transmission Temporary Adjustment

17. CenterPoint Transmission Permanent Adjustment

18. Composite Cut Sheet 67

19. Composite Cut Sheet 74

20. Roadway Contract Schedule
Schedule of ROW Entry / Utility Relocation
Parcel No. Prep ROW Util Relo Rdwy Const
/14/ /14/ /1/05
/28/05 3/28/ /1/05
/14/05 3/14/ /14/05
/14/05 3/14/ /1/05
/14/05 3/14/ /14/07
/15/05 6/15/ /4/07
/1/ /1/ /1/07
/1/05 9/1/ /4/07

21. Construction Cost “Drivers”
Time Constrained Schedule
ROW Acquisition
Tight Border Width for Utilities
Limited Work Forces
Magnitude of Traffic Handling
Material Shortages
Scope Changes
Labor Rate Increases

22. GEC Tools Bi-Weekly Status Meeting with District Senior Staff
Weekly Roadway Contract Partnering Meetings
Bi-Weekly Utility Coordinator and Inspector Meeting
Bi-Weekly ROW Team Meeting
Project Solve Web Site
Extensive Project Contacts Database
Excellent Working Relationships
Dedicated Inspection Staff
30 Minute Rule

23. SBC Katy Freeway Construction Facts
Copper Sheath Feet
938,641 (178 miles)
Million Conductor Feet (MCF) 2,
Fiber Sheath Feet
510,291 (97 miles)
Derived RT Pairs
97,028
Copper Pairs Terminated CO.
109,700
Fiber Strands Terminated at CO.
6,168
Conduit Trench Feet
232,797 (44 miles)
Proposed New Manholes
383

24. Major Investment Study
Project Development Process
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
Public Participation & Outreach
Public Participation & Outreach
Advanced
Planning
Advanced
Planning
ROD
Preliminary Design
Preliminary Design
Reevaluation
Major Investment Study
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies
We Are Here
Detailed Design
Detailed Design
ROW & Utilities
Roadway Construction

25. Program Contact Information
Visit Our Website:
Call or Visit:
Katy Public Information Office
11757 Katy Freeway, Suite 1100
Houston, TX 77079
The Public Information Website ( is accessible to interested viewers world-wide. It will play a major role keeping the public informed as the Program goes forward.

26. Thank You!
Questions?