Service locating and hydro excavating at a Melbourne Train Station

This is a video of a job we had where we were asked to locate all the underground services along the proposed new route for a power cable that was to run beneath a train line.

We located all the services in the area using Electromagnetic Field Locating (cable locating) and Ground Penetrating Radar.

After that, we used GPS survey equipment to plot all the underground infrastructure that we located, and then we drafted up a plan of the entire site for our client.

By reviewing this plan of the underground utilities we had located, the client was able to pinpoint an exact corridor in which they wanted to lay their new underground power cables.

We then went back out to the site and exposed the underground cables and pipes, using hydro excavation/non-destructive digging. By exposing each asset the client’s power cable would be crossing, we could survey it and get an exact depth, as well as note its size and type of utility it was.

Next, we updated the underground service plan that we had previously drawn up for them and gave it back to our client so they could finalize the detailed design of their works.

The client requested that we project manage the entire job.

They simply met with us to walk over the job site before we started the works, and then came out again halfway through the project to confirm the exact spot we should concentrate on—we organised the rest of the works.

Once completed, we simply handed them (or should I say emailed them) a CAD plan of the finished product.

Although we experienced a few delays on the project—Metro wouldn’t let us work during the week, and then there were other works happening in the same area—all in all, we’re happy to call it a successful job because we achieved the outcome our client desired.

They can now go ahead and design their works, knowing that they won’t have any problems with regard to existing underground assets that are in the area.

Click on picture below, to play video 

Video Transcription

Hi guys, Ben here. Geelong Cable Locations. Thought we’d do a video to show you what we’re doing today.

We’re out at a train station in Melbourne today, as you can see the train going past at the moment. It’s a Sunday, which means we’re working on the weekends. But we got the whole place to ourselves. There’s no one here, so it’s good.

Today’s the only day we’re allowed to work on the, on train line because of, being busy during the week, and commuters and so forth.

What we’re doing, the client’s actually, removing the power lines. There are power lines that go over the train line. And they’re going to remove them from over top and they’re going to bore underneath. So what they’ve asked us to do, they’ve asked us to come out and tell them where the underground services are in the area.

So we’ve come out, I’ve actually come out here about six months ago or so. And located wherever it all was, GPS’d it all, put it on a plan. Showed them where everything was, so they knew what was here. But, then they’ve asked us to come back today and give them pinpoint the accurate location of it all. So we’re, with the truck, I don’t know if you can see the truck in the background. We are with the truck digging away trying to find where everything is and getting exact measurements on it all. We’ve got the surveyor picking everything up as we’re going. And we’re just, yeah, locating where it all is.

{time stamp – 01:06}

Okay, so we’re nearly finished out here. What we’re doing right now, there’s a stormwater pit on the edge of their works, and I want to make sure that there’s no stormwater running where their trench is going to be going. So their bore is going to be underneath here, and then going to be going across along the footpath there.

Now we’ve got a plan that says where stormwater goes, but I don’t trust it. I want to be 100% sure I know exactly where everything goes. We’ve lifted up the pit, and it’s full of crap. There is rubbish in there, there are bottles, there are leaves and stuff. Now I know the Council should be the ones cleaning it up, we shouldn’t have to be the ones doing this. But part of our job is when we locate services, we want to make sure we’re 100% certain we know where everything is, we want to go to the nth degree to do it right.

{time stamp – 02:07}

So for the extra half an hour, it takes to, clean out the stormwater pit. We’re going to go through and find it all, so that, you, or whoever’s digging, don’t have anything to worry about it. You know that the locator you’ve had out has done the best job he can do.

Okay. Just thought I’d fill you in so you know what we’re doing. We don’t normally clean out stormwater pits, but if we have to we will.

Anyway, I better get back to it, so I do hope you guys are well. Take care, and if I can be of any assistance to you in the future please give me a call. Bye for now.

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