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Lawmakers move to improve marking for buried utility lines
Legislative would require GPS mapping of new buried utility lines, to allow for better marking of underground hazards.
ST PAUL, Minn. — There’s a new effort at the State Capitol to help contractors avoid hitting buried utility lines while digging on construction projects.
The legislation, House File 2717, would modernize the way buried pipelines and cables are marked and identified, to give those on site a better real-time knowledge of potential subterranean surprises.
“Current state statute is based on outdated technology and processes for marking and mapping underground infrastructure,” Laura Ziegler of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota told reporters Wednesday.
“There have not been significant updates in almost 40 years. This often leaves contractors and project owners in the dark.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Larry Craft of St. Louis Park and Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin, would require utilities to do geospatial mapping of new buried cables and pipelines, so that information can be made available at construction sites.
“There’s more and more stuff underground – gas lines, cable lines, phone lines, power lines, water mains, pipelines, and more and more fiber for broadband,” Rep. Kraft remarked.
“Digging in the wrong place can range in impacts from creating a nuisance to shutting down a facility or a street to putting lives at risk.”
Sen. Hoffman said the bill will promote more coordination and communication between all the players involved in projects that require digging.
“This gets us to where, ‘Guess what? Now I have that digital moment in time.’ That would alleviate some of the stress of an excavator going down there, not knowing when you’ll hit a gas pipe.”
Homeowners and contractors in Minnesota are required to contact Gopher State One Call by dialing 8-1-1 before they do any serious digging. That triggers a survey and marking process.
However, contractors said the markings are often based on outdated information, which can lead to problems.
“We think we’re clear to start digging and then we’ll find an appurtenance — something coming off the pipeline — and that’s what we strike,” John Hass of Veit & Company explained.
“We had 16 gas strikes in the last two years and 11 of those were mismarked or not marked appurtenances coming off the pipeline – extensions of the pipe.”
And it goes beyond protecting workers and averting massive fiber optic outages. The delays caused by mismarked utility lines also add up for taxpayers.
Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem cited the Lexington Avenue Project in Arden Hills and Shoreview as an example of a project that was stalled by unmarked buried lines.
“Unmarked utility lines were a significant and primary factor in the increase in cost of the project, doubling of the timeline to complete the project, and a far more substantial access impact to businesses and the community than we initially expected and prepared for,” Commissioner Frethem told reporters.
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MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Talking about life-changing events like illness, injury and aging isn’t always pleasant, but avoiding those conversations can make things much harder when they do happen.
A Twin Cities couple is trying to help spur important discussions with a new interactive workbook called “Family Conversations We Must Have But Do Not Want To.” Lisa White, a registered nurse and Michael White, a licensed nursing home administrator and assisted living director, wrote the workbook to steer individuals, seniors, couples and families toward making life decisions so they’re on the same page.
The Whites visited KARE 11 Saturday to talk about the book and the personal story that had them struggling in the search for answers to important questions.
Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to mix up the drinks.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Those looking for some spooky cocktails to celebrate Halloween should check out Kona Grill in either their Eden Prairie or Minnetonka locations.
Three new festive cocktails are on their menu and Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share the recipes.
The cocktails are available until November 2. One dollar from each cocktail sold will benefit Breast Cancer research organizations.
The Poisoned Apple
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup
- 1 oz Jim Beam Bourbon
- Top off with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
Glassware: 9 oz Bucket Glass
Garnish: Cinnamon Sugar Rim
Prep: Add Blood Orange and Jim Beam to a shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into the glass. Fill with Angry Orchard and stir.
The Black Widow
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz agave
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- Big pinch of black luster dust
- 1.5 oz Patron Silver
Garnish: Half Black Salt Rim
Prep: add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, vigorously shake and strain into a glass.
The Green Intensity
- 0.25 real lychee puree
- 0.5 oz St. Germain
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- Green Luster dust
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire
Garnish: lychee and Luxardo cherry
Prep: add all ingredients into a shake with ice, vigorously shake, and strain into a martini glass
