Subsurface Utility Engineering for ISTHA

Precise utility locating and relocation helps the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority identify and prevent potential conflicts before construction.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) awarded a 5-year Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) contract to HBK Engineering, with Ardmore Roderick participating through a Mentor-Protégé agreement. Ardmore Roderick collaborated with HBK to locate existing utilities, document their horizontal and vertical locations, and plot all underground facilities in potential conflict areas. The team secured Quality Level (QL) A-D SUE and performed thorough QC/QA checks. Ardmore Roderick coordinated utility locator scheduling, managed SUE excavation contractors, and oversaw traffic control, survey, and subcontractors. The project included over 850 QL-A locates. Ardmore Roderick coordinated with various client and agency representatives (Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, local municipalities, ComEd, NICOR, and other affected utilities) to secure all necessary permits and approvals.