San Antonio City Council members are pushing for smarter infrastructure planning with a new proposal that aims to tackle the frustrating delays caused by unforeseen subsurface utility problems. Councilmember Dr. Sukh Kaur, recently filed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) that could transform how the city prepares for capital projects—if her colleagues and the Powers That Be see fit to adopt her recommendations.

The CCR isn't just Kaur going it alone, she's backed by several council colleagues including Phyllis Viagran, Adriana Rocha Garcia, Melissa Cabello Havrda, and Marina Aldrete Gavito, which suggests there's substantial support on the council for this change, changes aimed at minimizing the disruptions from construction that residents and local businesses know all too well.“I have seen the effects that delays in construction have on our community with multiple projects affecting our residents and our business community, and when researching root causation, the top answer I received was a lack of information on what’s underground,”  Kaur stated in a release on the city’s website.

Not everyone may immediately grasp the technical jargon like "subsurface utility engineering" (SUE) or "As-Built" records, but here's the crux: SUE involves mapping out underground utilities before starting a construction project, and As-Built records detail where everything actually lies post-construction. Kaur and her co-signers, through discussions with city staff and industry experts, have concluded that adopting these practices will lead to fewer mishaps like severed fiber lines or busted water pipes, which not only are headaches but can also be costly and dangerous.

The argument for this proposal is grounded in the desire to improve construction efficiency and prevent errors that can extend project timelines and jack up costs, and it's not something derived from thin air, but rather built on a foundation of industry insight and real-world consequences that have irked San Antonians. “Our community has seen many instances where the lack of utility location information has led to preventable errors like cutting a fiber line or damaging a water line. I’m proud that this CCR will support our city’s ability to complete projects effectively and efficiently, making a real difference in our residents’ quality of life and the sustainability of our business community,” Kaur continued in the release.