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    1. Earthmoving

    CGA Report Indicates Progress in Utility Construction Damage

    Oct. 24, 2024
    Common Ground Alliance report shows levels of damage declined over the past year.
    Common Ground Alliance
    Common Ground Alliance Dirt Report Graphic

    Damage to underground utilities has descreased in the past year, according to Common Ground Alliance. Its analysis of data submitted to 811 call centers and entered into the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) showed a six point decrease from the baseline of 100.0 in 2022 to 94.0 in 2023, indicating progress but underscoring the significant effort still required to reach the target score of 50, according to CGA.

    The analysis is included in CGA’s 2023 DIRT report.

    Excavation/construction was the second reporting source for underground damage, according to the report. 

    Excavator safety for underground construction

    Analysis of 2023 data from 12 state 811 centers corroborated an important finding from the 2022 DIRT Report: Excavators face significant unpredictability in beginning work due to late or missing locates. Across the states examined, locates (or work site clearance) were delivered on-time for only 30-70% of tickets, with most hovering around 50%.

    "While the six-point decrease reflected by the CGA Index is encouraging, the data in the DIRT Report highlights the persistent issues where progress is critical,” said Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO, in a statement. “The surge in excavation activities fueled by infrastructure investments combined with the ongoing challenge of completing utility locates requires our continued collaborative and data-driven approach to address the behaviors and practices that most contribute to damages.”

    The report notes that these persistent trends are significant given the expected surge in excavation activities driven by federal infrastructure investments, including $85.4 billion for broadband expansion and $55 billion for water infrastructure improvements.