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Complex/Large Projects

Large excavation projects often require more coordination than a standard locate request can provide. The Complex/Large Project process helps excavators, utility owners, and locators coordinate project timelines, marking needs, and excavation activities before work begins.

Your project may qualify as a Complex/Large Project if it:

  • Extends beyond a standard 40-working-day notification period
  • Involves 5 or more work crews operating concurrently
  • Requires multiple locate requests for the same activity within the same geographic area during a single working-day notification period
View Qualification Details (Section 37-15-4.2)
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Excavators >

Planning or performing work on a Complex/Large Project

Utility Members >

Responding to or coordinating facilities for a Complex/Large Project

Before you Dig >

When locate requests are required, how the process works, expectations and more

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about qualifying projects, planning meetings, utility participation, locate requests, marking requirements, and project changes.

The process establishes communication and coordination between the excavator and affected facility owners/locators so that locate requests, marking activities, and excavation schedules can be planned for individual work areas throughout a complex or large project.

Complex/Large Projects are defined as:

  • The activity is initially planned to extend beyond a standard 40- working day notification period.
  • The project will involve five or more work crews operating working concurrently. Concurrent work crews may work for more than one general contractor on a project
  • The project requires multiple locate requests for the same activity within the same geographic area, submitted within a single working day notification period, with all activity occurring within the initial life of a single locate request.


This definition establishes the scope for projects exceeding typical requirements for time, resources, and coordination across multiple crews or requests within a single designated notification period

The excavator begins by submitting a PROJECT request covering the entire proposed project site. A project request is for the purpose of establishing a preconstruction meeting to review the project and create a facility marking timeline and agreement.

The PROJECT locate request must be submitted with a minimum of 5 business days notice prior to the planned meeting date.

The request initiates a preconstruction meeting so the excavator, facility owners, and/or locators can discuss the project and develop an agreed-upon marking plan.

The request should provide information about the entire proposed project site and include the proposed meeting location, date(s), time, and contact information.

Yes. The meeting may be conducted in person or virtually.

The parties review the overall project and develop an agreed-upon marking plan that coordinates excavation activities and facility marking throughout the project.

At a minimum, it should include

• The complete project overview
• Site address or description
• Areas to be located
• Work to be performed
• Anticipated project duration
• Individual excavation areas
• Projected start dates
• Exact areas requiring marking
• Dates facilities should be marked
• Identified subcontractors
• And signatures and dates from all parties

The excavator is responsible for maintaining the document and ensuring all involved parties receive the agreed-upon and signed agreement.

Utilities use the Positive Response System and select the response that best reflects their involvement:

• Meeting Date/Time Accepted
• Meeting Date/Time Rejected
• Will not attend meeting — site is clear/no conflict
• Not service provider at this location
• Will mark in accordance with §37-15-6 based on the normal locate request information for the proposed work area

The facility owner is responsible for contacting the excavator before the meeting date to obtain the information needed.

Not necessarily. A facility owner may indicate through Positive Response that it will not attend because the site is clear and there is no conflict.

No. After the marking plan is finalized, the excavator must submit individual locate requests in accordance with the agreed-upon marking plan.

Individual requests should be entered with 2–10 working days notice before the intended and agreed-upon excavation start date.

The facility owner/locator must mark within the notification period requested and agreed upon in the marking plan, before the proposed work start date as noted on the locate request.

Yes. The facility owner/locator must locate and provide a Positive Response for each excavation locate request in accordance with §37-15-6.

The locate request must be updated in accordance with the normal processing requirements for locate requests.

Yes, but revisions must be agreed upon by each party involved.

A revision to the marking plan agreement should be prepared and signed off on by all parties involved.

Getting Started

The process establishes communication and coordination between the excavator and affected facility owners/locators so that locate requests, marking activities, and excavation schedules can be planned for individual work areas throughout a complex or large project.

Complex/Large Projects are defined as:

  • The activity is initially planned to extend beyond a standard 40- working day notification period.
  • The project will involvese five or more work crews operating working concurrently. Concurrent work crews may work for more than one general contractor on a project
  • The project requires multiple locate requests for the same activity within the same geographic area, submitted within a single working day notification period, with all activity occurring within the initial life of a single locate request.


This definition establishes the scope for projects exceeding typical requirements for time, resources, and coordination across multiple crews or requests within a single designated notification period

The excavator begins by submitting a PROJECT request covering the entire proposed project site. A project request is for the purpose of establishing a preconstruction meeting to review the project and create a facility marking timeline and agreement.

The PROJECT locate request must be submitted with a minimum of 5 business days notice prior to the planned meeting date.

The request initiates a preconstruction meeting so the excavator, facility owners, and/or locators can discuss the project and develop an agreed-upon marking plan.

The request should provide information about the entire proposed project site and include the proposed meeting location, date(s), time, and contact information.

Yes. The meeting may be conducted in person or virtually.

Planning Meeting & Agreement

The parties review the overall project and develop an agreed-upon marking plan that coordinates excavation activities and facility marking throughout the project.

At a minimum, it should include

• The complete project overview
• Site address or description
• Areas to be located
• Work to be performed
• Anticipated project duration
• Individual excavation areas
• Projected start dates
• Exact areas requiring marking
• Dates facilities should be marked
• Identified subcontractors
• And signatures and dates from all parties

The excavator is responsible for maintaining the document and ensuring all involved parties receive the agreed-upon and signed agreement.

Utility Response & Participation

Utilities use the Positive Response System and select the response that best reflects their involvement:

• Meeting Date/Time Accepted
• Meeting Date/Time Rejected
• Will not attend meeting — site is clear/no conflict
• Not service provider at this location
• Will mark in accordance with §37-15-6 based on the normal locate request information for the proposed work area

The facility owner is responsible for contacting the excavator before the meeting date to obtain the information needed.

Not necessarily. A facility owner may indicate through Positive Response that it will not attend because the site is clear and there is no conflict.

Locate Requests & Marking

No. After the marking plan is finalized, the excavator must submit individual locate requests in accordance with the agreed-upon marking plan.

Individual requests should be entered with 2–10 working days notice before the intended and agreed-upon excavation start date.

The facility owner/locator must mark within the notification period requested and agreed upon in the marking plan, before the proposed work start date as noted on the locate request.
Yes. The facility owner/locator must locate and provide a Positive Response for each excavation locate request in accordance with §37-15-6.

The locate request must be updated in accordance with the normal processing requirements for locate requests.

Changes to the Project

Yes, but revisions must be agreed upon by each party involved.

A revision to the marking plan agreement should be prepared and signed off on by all parties involved.

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Complex/Large Project Resources

Download tools and reference materials to help plan, coordinate, and manage a Complex/Large Project.

Project Tools

Project Planning Spreadsheet
Track work areas, locate requests, subcontractors, and contacts.
Download Excel >

Working Agreement
Sample agreement for coordinating marking schedules.
Download >

Reference Materials

Project Flowchart
Quick visual overview of the Large Project process
View/Download >

Positive Response Guide
Quick reference for Large Project Positive Response codes.
Download >

Ready to Get Started?

Submit a Large Project ticket to begin the coordination process.

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