Previous Project Details

Details of Projects

Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project

Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) Segments 1-11

The first major transmission project in California being constructed specifically to access multiple renewable generators in a remote renewable-rich resource area.TRTP segments 4 to 11 would include new and upgraded electric transmission lines and substations between eastern Kern County and San Bernardino County, spanning an area of approximately 173 miles.

• Period of performance 2009-2014
• Location of work – Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
• Value of project – 4.5 billion per CPUC (SBS contract $1.9 million)
• Description of work performed – Construction support, land surveying, mapping, Record of Surveys preparation.
  • Research
  • Control Network
  • Route identification and borehole locations
  • 1000+ Towers staked
  • 126 miles of access roads
  • Aerial and LiDAR mapping
  • 7 substations staked
  • 7 Records of Surveys
• Zero days lost to injury or illness, had no performance issues reported.

Our research provided survey related research materials from Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties for SCE’s internal use. This effort included all Assessor Parcel Maps, Record Maps from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, centerline tie sheets from county and cities along the segments routes. Horizontal and Vertical information from various resources.

SBS provided a horizontal and vertical control network for the entire length of each segment. This effort was accomplished with GPS. Final reports were prepared for the basis of bearings and benchmark to be used on a future record of survey.

SBS provided route identification and borehole location staking for geotechnical efforts for Sections 4-11. This effort entailed extensive safety and environmental training. Most points had to be hiked in as most of the roads have been washed out from landslides and erosion.

Our survey crews provided SCE with tower staking data sheets for segments 4, 5, 6, 10, and 11. This effort included the setting of iron pipe (IP) at each tower centerline, in some of the most rugged and diverse terrain in California. Most towers had to be backed packed in as most all access road were washed out.

Future Tower As-built: verified the proposed centerline location of towers on Segments 7 and 8, prepared reports and exhibits showing as-built location and the record location.

Springville-Lindsay-Venida66kV Re-Conductor, Lindsay, CA

This Survey was for Utility Inventory purposes and Record Data Base Map preparation along a 17-mile route, requested for planning purposes for reconducting existing facilities in the rural area of Lindsay.

• Period of performance January 2018 – June 2018
• Location of work – Tulare County
• Value of project – SBS contract $72,000
• Description of work performed – Mobile mapping and base mapping with rights check analysis
• 17 miles of Mobile Mapping
• 17 miles of LiDAR data extraction
• Property line research and mapping base compiled / Future Right of Way width research
• QA/QC
• Rights Check documents
• Zero days lost to injury or illness, had no performance issues reported – scope was changed and project was reformatted after initial submittal.

Mobile Mapping LiDAR Survey: A truck mounted mobile mapping scanner was used to drive the entire 16.72-mile route, round trip, (33.44 miles) in less than an hour. A point cloud was generated to extract 3d topographic pole data, anchors, driveways, pathways, utilities, edge of pavement and fences, which eliminated the need for a traditional aerial survey and reduced both time and cost of drafting a topographic base map.

Research:Extracted pole and wire data from FIM Maps provided by SCE. All Record Maps needed to prepare a Record Data Base Map were obtained online from the Tulare County Surveyor’s website. Centerline ties were also downloaded to ensure proper and sufficient field ties.

Boundary Reconnaissance: Located all existing centerline street monuments along the entire route needed to accurately position right-of-way and property lines used to create a Record Data Base Map.
As-built Strip Map: FIM Map data was integrated into the LiDAR topographic base map. Prepared an 18 sheet 60-scale strip map with all topographic data labeled, including drainage crossing and assessor’s information.
Field Site Walk: For QA/QC purposes a field crew walked the entire route to verify all pole data, wire connections, tap lines and topographic data shown on the Final Strip Map was accurate and current.
Rights Check: Plotted all record easements supplied by SCE after their initial review.

Orchard Hills (Neighborhoods 1-4)

One of the larger currently ongoing residential neighborhoods in Irvine, 4 unique neighborhoods, 4318 residential units with amenities.

• Period of performance 2013-present
• Location of work – Irvine, California
• Value of project – SBS contract $5.2 million
• Description of work performed – Construction support, Land surveying, Subdivision Map preparation
  • Horizontal and Vertical control network
  • 28 Million yards of dirt
  • 29 miles of curb
  • 18 miles of underground utilities
  • 22 Subdivision Maps
  • 25 Title Reports and document reviews
  • 20+ Legal descriptions and plats
  • 8 settlement monitoring loops
• Zero days lost to injury or illness, had no performance issues reported.

Saddleback Surveys has been the primary surveying firm representing Wilson Mikami Corporation on the development of this fast-paced project. Additionally, many entitlement issues that have been dormant for decades surfaced in the analysis of the boundary and threatened to halt the development. Saddleback Surveys worked closely with the City Surveyor and Irvine Ranch Water District to resolve the problems and keep the project on schedule. Construction and mapping is still on-going.

Coolwater Lugo Transmission Project (CLTP) Segments 1-13

The Coolwater-Lugo Transmission Project (formerly South of Kramer) was designed to expand transmission capacity in the Kramer Junction and Lucerne Valley areas. Saddleback Surveys, Inc. (SBS) was involved from the beginning of the project until its rejection by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2015. The route was approximately 75 miles of infrastructure for renewable energy.

• Period of performance January 2009 – May 2014
• Location of work – San Bernardino County
• Contract Value of project – 755 million to $1,047 million per CPUC (SBS contract $1.6 million)
• Description of work performed – Land surveying, construction support, and mapping
  • 75-mile Control Network
  • 4 substations staked
  • 400 Towers staked
  • Towers and power poles located
  • 300 Access Roads staked
  • Base mapping
  • Research
  • Construction layout
• Zero days lost to injury or illness, had no performance issues reported.

SBS worked extensively and seamlessly with SCE’s Survey Manager, Field Crews and Environmental and Safety Personnel, including numerous private and public agencies to provide the following services:

Horizontal and Vertical Control network

Established a Control network for the entire length of the project. The Final Control Map documented the Project Basis of bearings and Benchmarks that was furnished to SCE and other consultants.

Planning and Topographic Surveys

Aerial control targets were established for conventional Photogrammetry and LiDAR. Topographic surveys of existing access roads and above ground visible utilities.

Boundary Reconnaissance

Located over 800 monuments to ensure an Accurate Record Data Base Map.

Proposed Tower, Substation and Access Road Staking

Staked proposed Tower centers and legs per design and proposed Assess Roads. Prepared reports and exhibits documenting any requested required field modifications. Staked requested information for future substation layout.

Research and Base Mapping

Provided a survey grade mapping base of property and above/below ground utility data.

Additional Tasks

• All Survey personnel were Certified Desert Tortoise Personnel &lead SCE caravans safely and efficiently through the site during Engineering Team field visits.
• Preparation of multiple FAA 1-A letters certifying the heights and locations of existing towers.