RECOMMENDATION:
That the staff report entitled “Subsurface
Utility Engineering (SUE) and funding contribution from Greater Toronto Sewer
and Watermain Contractors Association” be received;
And that Chisholm Fleming and Associates be
authorized to perform a full Subsurface Utility Engineering investigation for
the Doncaster/Henderson Watermain Replacement project at a cost of $32,000 with
a funding contribution of $16,000 from the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain
Contractors Association and $16,000, funded from 2004 Capital Account #
53-6150-6019-005 for the project.
PURPOSE:
This
report is submitted to Council for information and approval of applying a full
SUE investigation to the Doncaster/Henderson Watermain Replacement project.
BACKGROUND:
For
new construction or replacement of underground infrastructures, often there are
potential conflicts with existing utilities. When these existing
infrastructures are buried, it is often discovered in the construction phase of
a project, and the cost of the conflict resolution and the potential damages
are high.
Existing
subsurface utilities and their related structures constitute a significant
portion of the infrastructures within the municipal road allowance. Inaccurate,
incomplete and/or out-of-date information on the existence and location of the
existing subsurface utilities reduces the engineer, the owner and the
contractor’s abilities to make informed decisions and increase the potential
for damages and claims during construction.
A
convergence of new equipment and data processing technologies now allows for
the cost effective collection, depiction, and management of existing utility
information. These technologies encompass new surveying techniques,
computer-aided-design and geographic information system. This convergence of
technologies and the systematic use of the data derived from these technologies
is known as Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE).
DISCUSSION:
Subsurface
Utility Engineering has emerged as a means to better characterize the quality
of underground utility information and to manage the risks associated with
construction activities. SUE has been applied successfully in the past 2
decades in the
Staff of the Construction and Utilities have met with the GTSWCA to enter into a partnership to apply SUE to the
proposed Doncaster/Henderson Watermain Replacement as a pilot project. GTSWCA initially
committed $10,000 as contribution towards the cost of SUE for this project.
The
Construction
and Utilities staff has discussed the application of SUE with Chisholm Fleming
& Associates (CFA), the Town’s consulting engineer for the Doncaster
watermain replacement project, and was advised that because of the magnitude of
this watermain replacement project (1,700 m in length) and the lack of existing
information, the $10,000 contribution from GTSWCA will not be sufficient to
carryout a complete SUE investigation. The cost for a complete SUE
investigation, including identifying the actual location and depth of service
connections to all properties along the route of the proposed watermain is
estimated at $35,000.
In
further negotiation with CFA, the consultant has agreed to reduce the cost to
$32,000, as well, the GTSWCA has agreed to share the
cost on a 50/50 basis, and to increase their funding contribution from $10,000
to $16,000. The balance in the amount of $16,000 will be funded by the Town.
Staff feel that the additional cost
(1.4% of the estimated project cost of $1,200,000) for implementing SUE to
accurately identify all the potential conflict areas, and eliminate risk to the
contractor may lead to a lower bid and construction cost.
It
is therefore recommended that a full SUE investigation be carried out on the
Doncaster/Henderson Watermain Replacement project at an additional engineering
fee of $32,000, with $16,000 funded by GTSWCA and $16,000 funded by the Town.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The
Town’s portion of the cost, required to carry out a full SUE investigation is
$16,000. This can be funded from the Doncaster/Henderson Watermain Replacement
project, Account No. 53-6150-6019-005.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
No
environmental consideration.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
None
_________________________________
Stan Bertoia, P. Eng.,
General Manager, Construction and Utilities
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Peter Loukes, P. Eng., Director of Operations and Assest Management |
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Jim Sales Commissioner of Community Services and Fire |
Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset
Management\Reports\2004\C & U\Capital Works R.O.W\SUE report.doc
