Québec has an extensive underground network of telecom and cable television lines, water and sewer pipes, and power and natural gas lines. Some of this infrastructure could run across the area where digging work needs to be done. From the planning phase, it is essential to check what is hidden underground. Requesting a plan from Info‑Excavation is easy, quick and free. This plan allows you to better understand the terrain and infrastructure beneath your feet, to anticipate constraints and avoid costly surprises.
Planning before you start the work
Place an engineering request with Info‑Excavation during the early planning stages of your project so you can make an informed decision before confirming the work and deciding on a schedule.
This way, you can rapidly access information from infrastructure owners like Hydro‑Québec and Bell and get an accurate lay of the land from the start.
Result: You plan efficiently rather than adjusting as you go along.
The success of a project begins long before you break ground!
Why place an engineering request?
Placing a request is quick, easy and free of charge. It allows you to:
- Identify underground infrastructure before you start your project
- Select the best location for the work
- Determine constraints and risks from the planning stage
- Prepare a bid or call for tenders more efficiently
- Plan necessary work methods and measures, such as non-destructive excavation and the use of adapted support structures
By obtaining this information early on, you can avoid last‑minute changes that are often costly.
Concrete benefits and well‑executed projects
Planning ahead helps to complete the work more efficiently. When you contact Info‑Excavation from the start, you enjoy the following benefits:
- Avoid surprises and last‑minute changes
- Optimize the planning of resources and interventions
- Facilitate decision‑making
- Allow for a smooth execution
- Reduce delays, notably in projects with tight deadlines
An essential step
Once the project has been confirmed and the work planned, you must place a locate request with Info‑Excavation before you dig. According to section 3.15.1. of the Safety Code for the Construction Industry, it is mandatory to verify the location of underground infrastructure before digging. This requirement applies to all individuals on the worksite.
The consequences of poor planning
In addition to serious indirect consequences, such as cascading delays and loss of productivity, damage to infrastructure can result in:
- Service interruptions
- High repair costs
- Risks to safety
By calling on Info‑Excavation from the planning stage, you can ensure a more accurate, efficient and predictable process. You’ll reduce risks, limit surprises and facilitate the completion of the work from start to finish.
-
Independent studyby Polytechnique Montréal and CIRANO
