A Q&A with utility safety leader Koffi Kotokou highlights the importance of proactive utility planning to support Zero Harm outcomes.

On complex infrastructure projects, few things carry as much risk, or require as much specialized knowledge, as utilities. From aging underground systems to coordination with multiple stakeholders, utility-related challenges can impact project safety, schedules and costs if not handled correctly.

For Survey Manager Koffi Kotokou, utility coordination isn’t just a task, it’s a discipline built through hands-on experience, problem-solving and learning from the field. His path to becoming a trusted utility expert highlights why deep utility knowledge is not only valuable, but also essential to delivering safer, more successful projects.

Q: Tell us about your position at Balfour Beatty and how you gained expertise in utilities.

Koffi: My first step into utility coordination came during the Oak Hill Parkway project. Leveraging my background in surveying and geographic information system, I began improving the procedures already in place to better organize and utilize the data we already had.

I saw a clear correlation between survey data, utility information and field operations and recognized that if those elements were properly connected, we could create a much more reliable workflow. From there, I built a more structured approach by standardizing data collection of both existing and newly installed underground utilities. I improved how the data was collected and processed, and I started developing tools to visualize and communicate this data to the team and then later enhanced the existing dig permit process.

Q: In what ways does involving a utility specialist early in a project influence results, as opposed to teams that wait or don't leverage this expertise?

Koffi: Involving a utility specialist early allows utilities to be managed proactively instead of reactively. Every project is different – the location, the size and the level of subsurface utility engineering information available all play a role at the beginning.

On our previous project, we relied heavily on test hole excavation and potholing to verify utilities in the field. By physically exposing them, we were able to confirm their exact location and capture that information accurately, which helped us build a highly reliable map of existing underground utilities.

That early effort significantly reduces uncertainty in the field, improves coordination with utility owners and helps avoid costly delays. When utilities are addressed early, they stop being unexpected issues during construction and become constraints that can be planned for and managed effectively.

Q: How do you help teams feel empowered when they dig?

Koffi: When crews have uncertainty about what is in the ground, hesitation is natural. We address that by giving them clear and reliable information all in one place. We combine potholing results, as-built data and updated drone imagery into a dynamic web map, so crews have a current and comprehensive view of the site.

In addition, we have an internal, mandatory Locate Request system that triggers a structured workflow. Every excavation area is mapped, tied to verified 811 coverage and reviewed through our dig permit process before any work begins. With a clear understanding of expectation, verifications and updates, crews can move forward without guesswork. That clarity builds confidence and allows them to focus on executing the work safely.

Q: Zero Harm is a core value at Balfour Beatty. Can you share how deep utility knowledge directly translates into safer decision-making, fewer surprises and reduced exposure on the jobsite?

Koffi: Utility-related risks usually come from unknowns. The more accurate the information, the safer the operation. We try to reduce exposure by enforcing a structured permit process and continuously updating our maps with both as-built and pothole information. By also participating in Texas 811, we make sure newly installed utilities are properly marked and visible to other trades working in the area. All of this leads to better decisions in the field, fewer surprises and a much lower risk of utility strikes.

Q: What is the most critical lesson utilities have taught you, one that now guides how you approach every project and advise project teams?

Koffi: The biggest lesson is that nothing underground should be assumed. Plans and locate markings are important, but they are not enough on their own. On large projects, utilities are constantly evolving. If the information you provide doesn’t evolve with them, the risk increases.

Q: For project teams working on complex infrastructure, what is the one thing you wish they understood better about utilities before construction begins?

Koffi: Utilities need to be treated as a system, not a checklist item. It is not just about submitting an 811 ticket and moving forward. You need a reliable system in place, one that holistically connects excavation planning, field verification, permitting and field validation. When that system is in place, utilities become manageable. Without it, issues tend to surface at the worst possible time during construction.