The FHWA will be hosting a webinar on Utility Cost Estimates on 8/14/19 from 2 PM to 4 PM EST.
As you may know, one of the findings of our 2016 National Utility Program Review was that most DOTs do not develop utility relocation cost estimates. However, a documented cost estimate based on the State’s best estimate of costs as required by 23 CFR 630.106(a)(3). Similarly, few state DOTs know the cost-and-time impacts that utilities have on construction projects. 23 CFR 635.120, Changes and extra work requires that all major changes in the plans and contract provisions must be approved by the State or FHWA, based on the State stewardship and oversight agreement. The State DOT must conduct and document an independent review of the cost for each change order separate from the contractor’s price proposal.
Note that these requirements also apply to Local Public Agencies who request federal-aid reimbursement for Utility relocations and adjustments.
To help transportation departments meet the regulations noted above, FHWA has invited the Montana DOT and Georgia DOT to share their policies and practices for developing and tracking cost estimates over time for utility related work.
This webinar is open to the public and will have up to 300 connections. However, you must register in order to attend. Please register at https://collaboration.fhwa.dot.gov/dot/fhwa/WC/Lists/Seminars/DispForm.aspx?ID=2086.
Please note that registration is a two-step process. In the new External SharePoint System, EXTERNAL users (those without a @dot.gov email address) will have to request an account before they can register. Here is the link to request an account: https://collaboration.fhwa.dot.gov/FBA/Register.aspx . Step-by step instructions on how to request an account can be found here: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/espnon-dotstaff/
The account issuance takes approximately one business day. Once they receive their account information, they can access the site by clicking on the registration link and logging in.
DOT users do not have to create an account in order to register. They can click on the registration link and use their DOT credentials to access the site.
Please contact Julie Johnston, Julie.johnston@dot.gov, or Leslie Lahndt, leslie.lahndt@dot.gov, if you have any questions.