Why Should You Have a Civil Engineer Conduct an Underground Infrastructure Evaluation of Your Ft Lauderdale FL, Project?

An Underground Infrastructure Assessment Offers Insight into What’s Underfoot.

Many of Florida’s riches are easy to appreciate. After all, the famously sunny skies, warm temperatures, lush vegetation, distinctive animals, and gorgeous beaches found in Ft Lauderdale and throughout the state draw people from around the world. However, some of its treasures require a little more effort to discover. Hidden deep beneath most of the Sunshine State, the Floridian aquifer is an 82,000 square-mile reservoir that holds billions of gallons of freshwater. While it may not have the same drawing power as some of the state’s other natural bounties, this underground asset is vitally important because it is the source of most of its water. It’s also a reminder that knowing what’s going on under your feet is essential for the success of any construction project. When you need to figure out what’s lurking beneath your site, a civil engineer can help you.

 Securing an Underground Infrastructure Assessment

 Infrastructure is the fundamental installations and structures that society relies on to function. As with Florida’s many natural treasures, you’ll see a lot of it above ground. Roads, bridges, public buildings, and electrical lines are all visible infrastructure that may impact your Ft Lauderdale project. However, there are also some forms of infrastructure that typically go underground. They can have a massive effect on the viability of your project or the available options. How do you know what is present if you can’t see it because it is buried underground? How do you determine its condition with a layer of soil covering it? Your best course is to hire an experienced civil engineer to conduct an underground infrastructure evaluation. 

 What Lies Beneath

 Subterranean infrastructure is surprisingly varied. From massive subway tunnels and sizeable sewers to the slim conduits carrying buried cables that make today’s high-speed internet possible, there’s a lot going on beneath our feet. Sewage lines, water pipes, gas lines, electrical lines, phone lines, data cables, and other pipes and lines compete for space with transportation and access tunnels and the footers and foundations needed to support aboveground construction. Understanding where all these pieces are and how they come together is essential if you want to create an effective project design and avoid disaster as you move forward with your own dreams.

 The Advantages of Requesting an Underground Infrastructure Evaluation 

 Requesting an underground infrastructure assessment from a civil engineer offers several advantages:

  • Safety. There are distinct things that you need to know before any digging is done. Failure to pinpoint exactly where existing gas and electrical lines are before you begin construction would be incredibly dangerous.
  • Effectiveness. Having a thorough understanding of what is going on underground allows you to create a project design that makes effective use of those existing features, which could help keep costs low. If a desired feature isn’t available, it puts you on notice that you need to make plans for it in your project design.
  • Feasibility. With a clear picture of what underground infrastructure is already in place, you may have a better grasp of the feasibility of your project. For example, what if you discovered that the cable for high-speed internet doesn’t reach the site?

Are you planning a new commercial or residential project in the Ft Lauderdale area? If you’re seeking a civil engineering firm that is familiar with the Sunshine State’s unique geology and all the relevant rules and regulations to conduct an underground infrastructure evaluation of your property, reach out to DKK Consulting. Our experienced team of civil engineers works throughout Florida and beyond, tackling challenging projects in both the private and public sectors. To discuss our services, contact us today.