According to the latest DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool) report from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), excavators face a coin-flip—50-50 odds—of being able to legally start their work on time due to untimely utility locates. These delays not only disrupt project timelines but also create a domino effect of inefficiencies across multiple industries.
This challenge is especially pronounced in southern states like Georgia, Florida, and Texas, where the active winter construction season amplifies demand for timely locates. As population growth fuels infrastructure projects and milder winters enable year-round excavation, it’s more critical than ever to address locate inefficiencies.
The CGA’s DIRT report offers a wealth of insights into the locate challenges faced by southern states. A recurring theme is the significant percentage of excavation projects delayed due to late utility locates. In 2023, more than 25% of damages nationwide stemmed from failures in the notification process, including untimely responses to locate requests.
In southern states, unique conditions exacerbate these issues:
These factors combine to create an environment where timely locates are the exception rather than the rule, putting critical industries like utilities, construction, and telecommunications at risk of cascading delays.
The costs of untimely locates go far beyond inconvenience. They ripple through entire project lifecycles, impacting budgets, safety, and compliance. Delays often lead to extended project timelines, driving up labor and equipment expenses. For instance, a mid-size utility project delayed by one week could incur additional costs exceeding $50,000. Excavators operating without valid locate responses also risk severe fines and penalties, not to mention potential lawsuits in case of accidents. Moreover, damages to underground utilities, particularly gas lines or electric cables, pose significant safety risks to workers and communities.
A notable example comes from a Georgia construction project where delayed locates led to the accidental rupture of a water main, halting work for five days and disrupting service to over 10,000 residents. Incidents like these highlight the urgent need for improved efficiency in the locate process.
What makes the South particularly vulnerable to locate inefficiencies? The answer lies in a combination of climate, growth, and preparedness:
Without proactive measures, these states risk falling into a cycle of recurring delays and escalating costs during their busiest seasons.
Technology offers a lifeline to utilities, excavators, and municipalities grappling with locate inefficiencies. KorTerra’s damage prevention solutions leverage cutting-edge tools to streamline processes and improve outcomes. Advanced risk scoring models can identify high-risk tickets and prioritize them for quicker response times, reducing the likelihood of damages. Streamlined communication tools facilitate seamless collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays informed and aligned. Additionally, real-time data analytics enable proactive planning and resource allocation, minimizing delays and enhancing decision-making.
These solutions not only prevent costly mistakes but also promote safety and efficiency across the board, turning locate challenges into opportunities for innovation.
Southern utilities, excavators, and municipalities can take concrete steps to mitigate locate delays and ensure smooth operations:
By implementing these measures, stakeholders can transform DIRT data insights into actionable strategies that drive success.
The challenges of locate inefficiencies are clear, but so are the opportunities to address them. Southern states face unique demands, but with the right tools and strategies, timely locates can become the norm rather than the exception.
KorTerra’s technology solutions are designed to meet these challenges head-on, empowering stakeholders to improve safety, reduce costs, and achieve their goals. This winter, don’t let locate delays hold you back—schedule a demo with KorTerra today and discover how we can help you turn DIRT data insights into actionable solutions for your projects.
KorTerra is the leading provider of damage prevention software, protecting billions of dollars in underground infrastructure. For over 30 years, the leading stakeholders in gas distribution, pipeline operation, telecommunications, electric distribution, contract locating, and city, county, and state governments have trusted KorTerra as their damage prevention solution. KorTerra helps mitigate risk and ensure the safety of field personnel by providing secure software platforms for processing 811 locate tickets, tracking and reporting asset damages, meeting regulatory compliance, and more. Explore additional solutions at korterra.com and follow KorTerra on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Paige Nygaard – KorTerra, Inc.
952.368.1911
marketing@korterra.com