Survey

Armstrong & Brooks performs survey design services on most of their projects.   The typical service services vary but are described below:

Research and Field Review

A&B researches available records and maps to create a digital base map for use in plan preparation. A&B performs a comprehensive search of existing utilities to ascertain the presence of existing, active and abandoned utilities to minimize the potential for underground utility impacts to a project. A database is generated documenting all communication with each utility purveyor within the project limits. An inquiry letter to USA is generated which describes the project, its schedule, and limits delineated on a site plan exhibit.  USA will provide all active utility members, and other potential utility owners will be obtained from a search of available plans and records.

A&B sends a formal letter describing the project and its schedule to each utility company requesting plans of their facilities. The letter will include a utility response form that is logged into the database with the utility’s contact person.  In the event no response is received within the requested time frame, A&B attempts to contact the utility purveyor via telephone. In the unlikely event the requested information is not received in a timely fashion, a site visit to the utility purveyor is made to obtain record information. All utility information is incorporated into the digital base map.  As the design develops, progress prints are sent to each utility company for review and coordination at the 20%, 50%, 90% and final design completion milestones.

Field Design Survey & Aerial Topography

A survey crew is used to perform the field design survey to identify elevations of existing improvements at join locations, including street cross sections at approximately 25 to 50-foot intervals along the project limits.

The local agency’s bench system (NGVD 29) is used for vertical control of the field design survey and horizontal control will be established via a survey along the project’s rights-of-way which are subsequently tied into the NAD 83 CA State Plane VI horizontal control system.

A&B typically excludes a complete boundary survey and resolution or the re-establishment of missing monumentation, if any unless specifically requested by the client or deemed necessary for a specific project. The horizontal control can also be tied to the City’s GIS system. A&B staff conducts field research, in conjunction with the available utility drawings, to identify “As-Built” facilities and other potential conflicts within a proposed project’s limits.  A&B typically works with a subcontractor to generate aerial topography for its projects.

Base Map Preparation

A Base Map identifying the existing improvements and property lines within the proposed project limits will be compiled from a combination of the information obtained during our research of available records, the City’s GIS database and our field survey. Approved City plans within the project limits will be obtained from the City’s Public Works Department.

The Base Map will show all relevant existing property lines, rights-of-way, curbs & gutter, driveways, sidewalks, ADA Ramps, streetlights, traffic signals and loops, and utilities within the project limits.  All existing utility manholes, vaults, valve covers, water facilities and appurtenances, will be clearly identified on the project plans.