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Comprehensive Subsurface Infrastructure Data

Underground Utility Mapping Services

Accurately document and analyze underground infrastructure systems with SoftDig. We use a combination of electromagnetic scanning, ground-penetrating radar, vacuum excavation, and precision GPS surveying to pinpoint the locations and depths of buried assets.

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A person holds a tablet displaying an augmented reality view of a street with virtual overlays showing underground utility lines and a TW Water Chamber, with distance measurements on the screen.

Advantages

Advanced Technical Process

Our experts leverage advanced technology like GPR and EM utility locators along with high-precision GPS and robotic survey equipment to deliver engineering-grade data sets. We compile geospatial databases that integrate seamlessly with popular GIS platforms.

This geo-located infrastructure data is translated into detailed CAD and GIS maps tailored to client needs. It brings full visibility to hidden systems across entire sites or zones of interest.

Benefits of Utility Mapping:

Eliminate the risk of utility strikes
Increase on-site safety
Improve project planning
Ensure construction success
Support smart decision-making

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Trusted By Major Infrastructure Firms

Major clients relying on SoftDig for mission-critical utility mapping include municipalities upgrading infrastructure, contractors on large-scale projects, facility managers, engineering firms designing new networks, and businesses improving property. Our subsurface infrastructure maps provide the intelligence needed to complete projects on time and on budget.

Oil & Gas

Electrical Distribution & Transmission

Department of Transporation (DOT)

Telecommunications

Renewable Energy

Commercial

Military

Education

Environmental

Healthcare

Construction

Athletic Complexes & Stadium

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Relevant Projects

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Department of Transportation

Delaware DOT

Overview Softdig does a lot of work for the transportation industry. Our Delaware department of transportation project consisted of designating and creating GIS maps of all utilities along 5 miles of a highway for design of roadway upgrades. This stretch of road was located in Kent County. Delaware.

Commercial

American Dream Meadowlands

Overview The American Dream Meadowlands project at The American Dream retail and entertainment complex located in East Rutherford, New Jersey covers 91 acres and is an example of a commercial industry job. On this job site, Softdig offered services such as utility mapping to recognized areas such as the amusement park and proposed hotel location.

Department of Transportation

Atascosa County Line

Overview The Atascosa County Line project was completed in West Tilden, Texas. For this project Softdig reviewed and updated existing utility layouts provided by the state by utility mapping and GPS surveying. Within 180,000 linear feet of data, there were 25 test holes performed that ranged between 0-5 feet, 10 test holes that were 5-8 feet and 2 test holes that were 8-13 feet.

Airports

BWI Airport

Overview One assignment that falls into our Airport Industry category is the BWI Airport project. The BWI Airport is located just outside Baltimore, Maryland. This project required excavating test holes to locate existing utilities adjacent to runways for re-grading. This work is performed at night, during weekends and shut down periods. In order to map the entire underground infrastructure a total 91 test holes were dug.

Department of Transportation

Camp Arrowhead

Overview Softdig’s Camp Arrowhead project was completed in a few locations the main job was completed at the intersection of State Route 24 and Camp Arrowhead Road in Lewes, Delaware. This project consisted of utility mapping an area greater than 12,000 linear feet. Softdig also performed 7 manhole and catch basin reports. Lastly, Softdig’s crew hand sketched all of the utilities that were mapped and turned them into a digital deliverable that is ready to be analyzed.

Research Facilities

Chestnut Run Renaissance Project

Overview The Chestnut Run Renaissance project falls under the research facilities industry. For this project we designated and located utilities for building, roadway, and infrastructure improvements to R & D Campus in Wilmington, Delaware. This work was performed under active construction and Softdig had to comply with the strict timeline set.

Environmental Remediation

Clearview Landfill

Overview Softdig has work history in the industry of Environmental Remediation. For our Clearview Landfill project located in Eastwick, Pennsylvania, Softdig’s job was to provide markout, GIS analysis, marking, and digitally mapping. Softdig compiled maps of the area for the protection of existing utilities during extensive soil sampling and groundwater testing operations.

Department of Transportation

Duval County Line

Overview During our Duval County Line project located in Kent County, Delaware, Softdig preformed utility mapping of an area of about 22.495 linear feet. In this area there were a total of 97 test holes dug, measured, detailed, and replaced. 62 of these manholes were 0-5 feet deep, 32 were 5 to 8 feet deep and 3 were 8 feet to 13 feet deep. Working with a little over 4 miles these test holes were done with precision and accuracy.

Energy

National Energy Technology Laboratory

Overview For Softdig’s National Energy Technology Laboratory project Softdig located utilities, performed test holes, and surveyed across both sites. Even though the project is finished, Softdig continually maintains and adds information to a working site plan that can be utilized for multiple projects. The location for this site is Morgantown, West Virginia.

Commercial

Hemisfair Park

Overview Softdig’s Hemisfair Park project was a commercial industry job. At this job Softdig located at already performed test holes to find utilities for designing upgrades that will change this park into a full urban district with multiple parks, residences, and local businesses. This project was based in San Antonio, Texas.

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FAQs

How is GIS used in utility mapping projects?
GIS utility mapping helps crews create detailed digital maps showing the type and location of underground utility lines. Sewers, electric cables, telephone cables, gas mains, and water mains are among the items that can be found during the operation.
What are the main advantages of using GIS for utility mapping?
With GIS, utility mapping is less expensive and more effective. It supports solid decision-making, project communication, better land-use management, and advanced geographic information archiving. By automating the data gathering process and creating a centralized system for efficient data storage and management, GIS improves utility field operations’ efficiency while also improving the quality and accessibility of previously recorded data.
What types of applications benefit from GIS technology?
Geographic information systems help decrease damage and plan for the future. It is employed in managing forest fires, limiting the impact of natural disasters, optimizing natural resources, designing wastewater management, and remediating events such as oil spills.
Are CAD and GIS better than traditional surveying tools?
Unlike traditional surveying tools, these new tools provide a central location for data and analysis. While GIS has concentrated more on data management, geographical analysis, and visualization and less on the spatial accuracy of data, surveying has traditionally focused on precision. GIS uses common projections and global coordinate systems, where surveying frequently uses local or assumed coordinate systems.
What is the difference between CAD and GIS for mapping?
CAD is predominantly used in engineering and construction for designing and drafting. It focuses mostly on creating detailed designs of objects, structures or systems, such as buildings, products, or parts. CAD designs are especially known for their precision, detailing and use in design automation.

On the other hand, GIS is used for managing, analyzing, and visualizing geographical data to help in decision-making processes, predictive analysis and visual representation. GIS data is usually linked to specific geographical locations and can be layered to show different types of information.
What is the difference between GIS and GPS mapping?
GPS is a satellite navigation system that provides accurate location data anywhere on or near the earth. GIS is a tool for managing, analyzing, and displaying all types of geographical data.

In essence, while GPS provides the raw locational data, GIS takes that data and layers it with additional information to create a more complex and useful visual representation. For example, GPS might give you a certain location’s coordinates, but GIS could show you how that location is a residential neighborhood, in a flood zone, and expected to have a certain population growth in the next ten years.
What can go wrong when utility maps are not used?
Overlooking utility maps in excavation can trigger major complications, such as accidental damage to buried utilities, resulting in disrupted services, safety risks, unexpected repair costs and project delays. Essentially, undertaking a project without a utility map is like navigating without a compass: true direction and planning are key to avoiding costly detours.