Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)
Subsurface Utility Engineering, commonly referred to as SUE, is a critical component of modern infrastructure and land development projects. Understanding what lies below the surface is essential to reducing risk, avoiding conflicts, and supporting efficient project delivery. Farnsworth Group’s roots in surveying and underground utility design date back to the late 1800s, giving our teams a long-standing foundation in collecting, analyzing, and managing subsurface data and utility coordination.
Today, the SUE process is increasingly required on public and private projects across the country and is widely recognized as a best practice for identifying and managing underground utility risks. Through close collaboration between our in-house SUE field staff, surveyors, and civil engineers, we provide a fully integrated approach to utility investigation, analysis, and coordination. Our team’s ability to collect, depict, and analyze utility data, make informed design recommendations, and provide ongoing coordination with design teams and utility owners allows Farnsworth Group to deliver critical risk mitigation services for any project type.
Services
- Boundary, Topographic, and ALTA Surveys
- Drainage, Structural, and Transportation Engineering Design & Consulting
- Engineering
- Environmental
- GIS Support
- Land Acquisition and Negotiations
- Permitting Support
- Right-of-Way (ROW) and Easement Research & Document Preparation
- Traffic Signal Analysis and Design
Project Approach
Project sites and rights-of-way have become increasingly congested with utilities. Inaccurate or incomplete utility information can lead to conflicts discovered during construction, resulting in delays, redesign, and added cost. The SUE project approach focuses on improving the quality and reliability of underground utility data early in the design process and integrates continued coordination with stakeholders through project completion. This approach allows our team to better coordinate with all parties, supporting safer construction and reduced project risk.
Farnsworth Group engineers and field staff utilize the latest technologies to collect data, depict utilities, and communicate findings to clients. Our survey and SUE field staff employ GPS, total stations, drone technology, pipe and cable locators, magnetometers, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and non-invasive excavation techniques in the field. SUE engineers collect field data and process it using advanced modeling software platforms, including Bentley, Autodesk, and ArcGIS. Efficient communication systems ensure utility information is delivered to the right stakeholders when and where it is needed. Continued coordination and design recommendations are also a key component of our holistic approach to utility risk reduction.
Industry Standards
Farnsworth Group’s SUE services are performed in accordance with the American Society of Civil Engineers’ UESI/CI 38-22 Standard Guideline for Investigating and Documenting Existing Utilities and UESI/CI 75-22 Standard Guideline for Recording and Exchanging Utility Infrastructure Data. Our firm is prequalified to provide SUE services in multiple states and has experience working with a variety of transportation agencies, municipalities, and utility owners.
We also bring extensive experience navigating varying state, county, and local agency requirements, including Colorado Law SB 18-167 (C.R.S. § 9-1.5-103), allowing our SUE approach to be tailored to each project’s unique regulatory environment.
Additional Services to Support SUE Projects
Topographic, ALTA & Boundary Survey
Right-of-Way (ROW) and Easement Research & Document Preparation
Land Acquisition and Negotiations
Permitting Support
Professional Engineering Design
Drainage, Structural, and Transportation Engineering Design & Consulting
Traffic Lighting & Signal Design
Environmental Services
GIS Support
