Utility Specialist

Maryland SHA Roadway Improvement Project Manager

Lead the review of all Maryland SHA roadway improvement projects in District 7 to assess potential impacts on existing utility infrastructure. Initiate utility coordination by requesting and researching as-built utility records to identify ownership of infrastructure potentially affected by proposed improvements. Analyze engineering design plans alongside utility data to evaluate potential conflicts, impacts, and necessary relocations. Organize and lead utility coordination meetings with stakeholders, including utility providers, SHA design teams, local governments, and other agencies to discuss relocation strategies, resolve issues, and maintain project timelines.

Assess proposed nearby developer projects for overlapping utility impact zones and align coordination between SHA and developer utility relocation efforts. Advise design engineers on utility conflict avoidance, impact mitigation strategies, and relocation options. Determine the need for additional test pit investigations to accurately locate and assess underground utilities. Complete and maintain RW-57 Utility Tabulation Forms to document affected utilities and support prior rights cost responsibility assessments.

Identify and flag High Voltage Line Act (HVLA) scenarios where relocation costs are fully billable to SHA. Review right-of-way plats to identify necessary fee simple and easement acquisitions required for utility relocation. Ensure compliance with US DOT PHMSA, FHWA, and SHA regulations in the development of Utility Statements for inclusion in construction bid documents. Assess utility relocation designs for conflicts with horizontal and vertical alignments, right-of-way constraints, grading plans, barrier placement, and maintenance of traffic requirements.

Provide technical oversight on design standards, quantities, estimates, and specifications related to utility relocation. Manage the distribution of design documents to utility stakeholders throughout key project milestones, including Preliminary Investigation, Semi-Final Review, Final Review, PS&E, Advertisement, and subsequent revisions. Actively participate in key project meetings: PI, semi-final/final design reviews, partner coordination, pre-construction planning, and monthly progress tracking. Contribute to Value Engineering (VE) studies and constructability reviews to enhance project delivery and utility accommodation.

Facilitate coordination meetings to address utility design and construction issues involving developers, public agencies, property owners, and community representatives. Develop preliminary and construction cost estimates for utility relocations for inclusion in the State's Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP). Evaluate PS&E submittals from utility companies to verify cost accuracy and scope alignment. Issue Utility Permits authorizing relocation work and ensure compliance throughout execution.

Oversee multi-utility relocation efforts and manage on-site inspection and verification of work progress and quality. Coordinate complex relocations across multiple utility types, including high-voltage and secondary electric transmission, electric distribution systems, fiber optic and telecommunications infrastructure, cable TV lines, natural gas distribution, water and wastewater systems. Review and process high-value invoices (including amounts exceeding $1 million) from utility providers, validating costs and fiscal year allocations.

Monitor utility billing activity to prevent overruns, document variances, and justify discrepancies. Serve as a point of contact during SHA construction phases to resolve unforeseen utility conflicts in real-time, ensuring alignment among SHA, utility owners, and contractors.

Prepare comprehensive monthly Utility Status Reports for all active District 7 design projects, detailing utility relocation progress and schedules. Review, track, and respond to all utility-related correspondence from SHA offices, external agencies, and utility providers to ensure timely and accurate communication. Maintain organized project files, including records, correspondence, permits, and…