District 1 Councilmember Pushes for Smarter Infrastructure Planning

Published on January 30, 2025

District 1 Councilmember Pushes for Smarter Infrastructure Planning to Reduce Project Delays

SAN ANTONIO (January 30, 2025) – District 1 Councilmember Sukh Kaur is proud to announce the approval of a groundbreaking Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of San Antonio (COSA) and San Antonio Water System (SAWS), aimed at reducing delays, improving efficiency, and supporting a timely completion of infrastructure projects across San Antonio. This initiative was co-signed by Councilmember Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia (District 4), Councilmember Phyllis Viagran (District 3), Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda (District 6), and Councilmember Marina Alderete Gavito (District 7).

The policy seeks to address challenges related to outdated, inaccurate, or missing utility records, which have led to significant delays for projects such as St. Mary’s Street and Broadway. These delays, sometimes even doubling project timelines, have increased project costs, disrupted businesses, frustrated residents, and diminished public trust.

“When we start a project without accurate records illustrating where utilities are located underground, it’s our residents and businesses who feel the impact of the construction delays, detours, and lost business,” said the District 1 Councilmember. “By requiring the use of Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), which includes ground-penetrating radar or alternative methods to identify precise locations for pipes, plans can be more accurate. Hence, we’re setting the standard for faster and more reliable project outcomes.”

SAWS President/CEO Robert Puente said the MOU will benefit both businesses and residents.

“This is a smart policy that puts the onus on contractors to know what’s underground before they start digging,” Puente said. “This will greatly reduce the possibility that San Antonians will be impacted by unintended critical infrastructure. 

Local business owners are also welcoming the move. Jody Newman, owner of The Friendly Spot and Bruno’s Dive Bar, said, “No one is going to be able to bring back the businesses that were lost to the prolonged construction, but this policy acknowledges that we can do better as a city to keep projects on their original timeline. As local independent business owners, we just want to be able to run our businesses without disruption, so starting construction with the right information sounds like a no-brainer.”

The policy includes the following key elements:

• Innovative Approach to Infrastructure: SAWS will be responsible for providing accurate locations of their underground utilities during the design phase of each bond project by using advanced subsurface technologies to provide the highest level of accuracy.
• Collaboration for Efficiency: COSA and SAWS are working together to streamline processes, share information, and improve efficiency of bond projects to minimize construction delays, road closures, and impacts on small businesses and residents.
• Proactive Problem-Solving: COSA and SAWS are committed to identifying and solving any issues quickly, with a focus on keeping residents and businesses informed throughout the process.
• Risk-based project categorization: High-risk projects will be identified based on considerations such as high-traffic areas, historic sites, important or sensitive areas, or congested corridors. Special measures will be taken to handle any challenges related to these projects. 

“This policy will cost more upfront but will save time, money, and frustration in the long run,” added the District 1 Councilmember. “By requiring accurate mapping of underground utilities, we can avoid unnecessary delays and the disruptions that hurt our small businesses and communities.” This will also apply to upcoming infrastructure projects funded in the 2022 Bond Program, ensuring they are executed to the highest standard while minimizing road closures and detours. 

For more information, please contact the District 1 office at 210-207-0900.