PLA Transmittal Letter - 2022-04-06
“Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment”
STATE OF CALIFORNIA------- CALIFORNIA STATE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY Gavin Newsom, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DISTRICT 12
1750 EAST 4TH STREET, SUITE 100
SANTA ANA, CA 92705
PHONE (657) 328-6000
FAX (657) 328-6522
TTY 711
www.dot.ca.gov/d12
. Making Conservation a California Way of Life.
April 6, 2022
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
290 Paularino Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Attn: Mark Esquer
RE: Execution of Agreement for Caltrans to Perform and Fund Positive Location
(Test Holes)
Dear Costa Mesa Sanitary District,
Pursuant to State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) policy on
positive location activities (potholes/test holes) found in Project Development
Procedures Manual, Chapter 17, the horizontal and vertical location and/or
apparent visual condition of underground utilities must periodically be
confirmed.
At present, as addressed in the "Recitals" section of the attached Positive
Location Agreement, positive locating is generally performed by the Utility
Owner with the cost determined either by real estate law, by transportation law
(Streets & Highways Code) or by Departmental policy (usually encroachment
permit provisions). Prompt scheduling and performance of this work has been a
challenge for a number of Utility Owners/companies. Once your company executes the enclosed Positive Location Agreement, Caltrans will take on the
responsibilities for performance and payment per the provisions in the
agreement.
We are happy to explain any provisions in the Positive Location Agreement,
however, we are not anticipating any negotiation to the agreement language.
We believe the agreement represents a benefit to both parties and addresses
the needs of both parties. In addition, the agreement creates virtually no
obligation on the part of the Utility Owner, makes the positive location process
simpler, and is more economical for everyone. Furthermore, the current
agreement has been agreed to by many stakeholders within the State and is
meant to be versatile for various Utility Owners throughout the State. Among
12-ORA-55-PM 0.0/R17.9
EA: 0R320 Proj ID: 1218000078
Owner: Costa Mesa Sanitary
District
Mr. Mark Esquer
4-6-2022
Page 2
“Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment”
other features of the agreement, the vacuum extraction or "non-destructive
excavation" process is found to be an acceptably safe method.
We are pleased to have an approach like this which will benefit both parties.
However, before Caltrans can begin operation of this service, the Positive
Location Agreement must be executed. Please have the appropriate officer of
your company electronically sign the agreement and email it back to us before May 15, 2022. Caltrans will then execute the agreement and will return an
electronic copy to you.
Please find attached "Agreement for the Positive Location of Underground
Utilities" that your company must execute in order for Caltrans to perform and
pay for positive location services.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Tim Cheung at (657) 328-6410 or
via email at Tim.Cheung@dot.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Erika Irizarry
District Utility Coordinator
District 12