Item - 2025.GG19.22

The General Government Committee:

1. Received the report (February 6, 2025) from the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, for information.

The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the actions taken in response to GG8.25 - Review and Recommendations on Underground Locates. The report summarizes the series of improvements that have been implemented and work that will continue over the long-term.

The identification and management of underground infrastructure are essential to the broader capital delivery process and cannot be addressed in isolation. These challenges, deeply rooted in the complexity of aging urban environments, have persisted for decades and remain a critical aspect of every capital delivery project. While no single solution can fully resolve these issues, methods for managing them continue to evolve.

The outlined improvements address key challenges associated with underground infrastructure through measures such as adopting advanced technologies, improving data management practices, and refining processes to enhance project planning and execution. These initiatives include enhanced as-built record management, the implementation of advanced tools like multi-channel ground-penetrating radar (MCGPR) and adherence to updated Utility Engineering standards (ASCE 38-22), the development of a risk evaluation matrix, advanced subsurface engineering processes, and targeted training.

It is important to note that, despite thorough planning and advanced investigative techniques, there are instances where the true conditions of underground infrastructure only become apparent during excavation. To address these uncertainties during construction, additional processes are being developed to enable rapid and effective responses. These measures will be reviewed in the forthcoming Update on the Review of Capital Delivery Models report.