Submitting a locate request to JULIE is now faster and easier for excavators that can provide latitude and longitude coordinates from Global Positioning System (GPS) units for their job sites. For assistance setting up your unit go to support.

Since 2002, excavators requesting a dig number have been required to provide tier, range, section and quarter-section of the job site.  This quarter-section information would typically come from one of two sources, either the caller or the JULIE database, which calculates the section grid information using the address and cross-street information given by the caller.  Unfortunately, finding maps containing this specific data throughout the state has occasionally been a challenge for excavators. 

In response to feedback from the excavation community and improvements in technology, excavators can now provide the GPS coordinates of their jobsite in lieu of section grid information.  The JULIE computer will convert a valid GPS coordinate into the appropriate grid.  All other information is still necessary to complete your locate request. 

Many contractors will find that taking a GPS reading at their jobsite and supplying this specific information when calling in a locate request will be much easier, take less time, and be more affordable than trying to find and purchase multiple maps throughout the state.  In addition, this will give excavators an opportunity to white-line their jobsite prior to calling in their locate request. 

Standard of Datum
Basic GPS units are affordable and capable of simple functions.  All basic units are able to report standardized coordinates in North American Datum 83 (NAD83) and in degrees, minutes and seconds.

Size of Excavation
Using GPS coordinates is appropriate for single property excavations only.  If your project encompasses a large area, you will need to provide the section and quarter-section numbers of your project to the JULIE operator.

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