CALTRANS PARTNERSHIPS AND UTILITY COORDINATION By: Paul Pham April 22, 2009

PARTNERING Utility companies are critical alliance in Caltrans’ project delivery CT committed to be a good partner

PARTNERING RESULTS Inter Utility Coordinating Council (IUCC) Freeway Master Contract Partnership Agreement Utility Engineering

IUCC Made up of representatives of major utility companies. Represents the utility companies’ interests and point of view in coordinating transportation projects Improves communication and understanding among the stakeholders

CT/IUCC Partnership Joint pilot programs with IUCC members Communication Conflict Resolution Share best practices Find ways to adapt to the increasing numbers of local projects

FREEWAY MASTER CONTRACT (FMC) Only addresses freeway projects Eight (8) contracts with major utility companies Addresses cost apportionment for relocations on freeway projects.

Background –In 1950s, Street and Highway Code was established and authorized Caltrans to enter into contracts with utility companies –There was a large number of transportation projects –As a result, there were a sizable number of litigations on liability disputes. –Speed up the liability determination process FREEWAY MASTER CONTRACTS

Background (continue) –There were nine Freeway Master Agreements executed at that time –These agreements had been in place until 2003 –Since 2003, Caltrans has entered into new Freeway Master Contracts with eight utility owners –The major change was the uniformity of the terms and conditions among all contracts FREEWAY MASTER CONTRACTS

Freeway Project Definition

SWOT Analysis –Strengths: Speeds up project delivery Resulted in collaborative approach in working toward improvements in project delivery process Eliminates legal action on liability dispute FREEWAY MASTER CONTRACTS

MASTER CONTRACT Analysis (continue) –Weakness: Cost apportionments are still based on installation rights Still some disagreement s in interpretations of language in the Freeway Master Contracts

MASTER CONTRACT Analysis (continue) –Opportunities: Re-evaluate the effectiveness of the contract in the current conditions Renew/update the contracts adapting to the current budget allocations

MASTER CONTRACT Analysis (continue) –Threats: Increasing in numbers of local projects involved with Caltrans right of way Challenges from Local Agency on the application of the Master Contracts over the franchise area within the local project limits

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Background –As a result of the IUCC partnering efforts, Pacific Gas and Electric and Caltrans entered into high level meetings to discuss broad challenges among both organizations. –Resulting in a partnership to improve the joint efforts and understandings in all aspects between the two entities

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Current development –A PG&E and Caltrans Partnership Agreement is being drafted by sub-committee –This agreement will be used by Caltrans as template for other partners

UTILITY ENGINEERING Internal process improvement led by Caltrans RW Utilities and Design –Utility Engineer Unit –Utility Engineer Database

UTILITY ENGINEERING Changing the Design structure to improve project delivery –Utility Engineering is a new functional unit in project development process –This unit is specialize in locating and collecting utility data, utility conflict avoidance, and utility relocation –Utility Engineering works side-by-side with, Project Engineer, and Right of Way Utilities

UTILITY ENGINEERING Utility Engineering units involve in project process from conception to completion Utility Engineering has been developed in every district. –Some districts have fully functioning units –Others are still piloting this project delivery support activity.

UTILITY ENGINEERING Developing a statewide utility database –Collecting existing utility data –Integrating with other database Permits Maintenance Traffic Electrical Proposing x,y,z’s requirement for new utility install within State’s RW.