Before Starting Your Digging Project, Pre-mark It

State law requires anyone planning to dig pre-mark the dig site prior to contacting JULIE.

What is Pre-marking?

Clearly delineating the area where the excavation will take place so that member utility companies avoid unnecessary work created by locating facilities that are not affected by the excavation process. There are several ways to pre-mark your proposed excavation site as allowed by the state law:

Physical Pre-marking:

The process of marking the proposed excavation area with white paint, flags, chalk, lath or whiskers prior to contacting JULIE. Black paint should be used when snow is present.

Clear and Concise Description:

A verbal or written description that is narrow and explicit enough to prevent marking beyond the actual excavation or demolition area giving the distance and directionality of the proposed excavation area.

Digital Attachments:

Excavators who are registered Remote Ticket Entry (RTE) users can attach files to their tickets during the online ticket entry process indicating where they plan to excavate while still providing a good extent on their notices. Learn more about becoming an RTE user.

Electronic White Lining (when available):

Electronic white lining provides a method where excavators may indicate their proposed excavation area visually by electronic data entry (lines or polygons) without the need for a physical site visit. This software is not currently available on the JULIE system.

Resources

Make sure your crews understand that pre-marking is required by law. Hang this pre-marking poster in a highly visible area in your work space, field office, warehouse, loading dock, or anywhere your team gathers.