Hello all, I have been tasked with resolving R/W for a state route, although I have no experience doing any sort of resolution. I have a general idea of the scope of the project along the corridor, although, the record maps are not on a coordinate system, as well as not having an indication of bearings and distances along the project scope. I have acquired Tax/APN maps which have allowed me to acquire some maps that seem like they have useful information, such as an old map with bearings and distances that correspond to the project scope corridor, but not in its entirety, as the corridor enters a city, upon which the map lists it as "Block 1" with acreage. In addition, the county that the work is in has sparse information, as I have contacted them for more information on section corners, as their website, as confirmed by them, has everything that they would have. Looking further into maps I have pulled from reading deeds and the Tax/APN maps, I have a lot of lots and blocks that have private property corners, basis of bearings listed, as well as DOT provided control on some points that were used to determine a small portion of the R/W along the corridor, but no maps indicating the found evidence, which are: nail, PK nails, and a brass tag stamped with a RCE number. Even with this little information, I am not sure how I would resolve the R/W, as most of the maps are very old, and do not indicate corners, lots and blocks with bearings and distances, etc. The record maps indicate 100' of R/W dedicated, as well as the old maps indicating that they are 100'. In addition to having found this information, I do not really know what would be the next step, as the work is for ADA ramps at intersections, which is where they primarily want the R/W resolved, although I am not sure if you could just resolve a small portion of the R/W specifically at the intersections, or if I would have to resolve the R/W in its entirety along the entire scope of the project. Again, my experience is lacking, and I am not sure what way to look at this. In addition, after having collected all of my record information, what would be the next step? All of the maps seem to be on assumed coordinates, so would I have to do some sort of rotation? (What I've heard piecemeal from other surveyors) How would I go about making sure that it is all done correctly? I need to also provide search coordinates for the field crew to go and help me resolve the R/W, such as the section corners, property corners adjoining the state route, and R/W monuments, so I assume I more than likely have to have something drafted to get this going... I hope this isn't too scrambled, but if anyone is willing to help and needs clarification, I would be glad to do so.
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Scrappy
Like you said, have your crew look along the ROW for property corners or occupation. See if they're 100ft apart on each side. Also plot out the ROW and try to fit it to the occupation or whatever ROW crossing you can find.?ÿ
Or take the "fuck it" route... split the road's sidelines and offset 50ft on each side
So, how was the ROW established in the first place??ÿ Is there a set of highway plans that show it?
Go to your immediate supervisor and ask these questions. ?ÿSounds like you??ve been tasked with something you??re not qualified to do. If they don??t want to help. Find another job.
Your task is VERY important to all the impacted land owners.?ÿ It also needs to be VERY important to your firm.?ÿ Copy/paste your post and provide it to your supervisor.?ÿ If he thinks it's unimportant, you need to find a new employer.
Are you working under the direction of a PLS? If so, all the questions you asked need to be asked of him/her as this is a fairly common task in the surveying.?ÿ ?ÿIf not, your company has tasked you with something you're not qualified to complete.
ROW work can be very simple or very complicated. I would never task someone with ROW analysis without ensuring they either knew what they were doing, or guiding them through the process and explaining the steps.
If it's not your stamp, it's ultimately not your problem. But I would send an email to the licensee in responsible charge outlining your concerns and explicitly asking how they want this accomplished. Hold their feet to the fire; it's their job to guide you and train you.
A full reconstruction of a street/highway all monuments along the ROW need to be located, if none are found other evidence of the location is required such as surveys throughout the adjoining subdivisions, ect.?ÿ
However, you're task is handicap ramps which will be usually inside the ROW. These may extend outside the ROW (I've worked on some of those) which means ROW grants from landowners.
If you have boulevard strip any exact ROW determination might not be necessary.?ÿ
Your task will vary depending on the nature of the construction.?ÿ
A full ROW survey is possible from the information you have related. It's a typical list of beginning documents.
If a full determination is required it's an expensive survey task, boots on the ground, locating improvements, monuments, shovel time and lots of time researching deeds, plats, highway plans. Never have I found a 100 foot ROW that wonders through old subdivisions to be 100.00' wide or straight, normally there are angle breaks at each block change.?ÿ
If this a State right of way I would think it might be a good idea to coordinate with your state DOT since push come to shove, you'd likely be better off with their support as opposed to opposition to whatever conclusions you may arrive at. Once you have as many pieces of the document puzzle assembled into a plan of survey, execute a preliminary survey using the appropriate methodology, ie, standard project, through the length of the project and tying down as many pieces of evidence as possible, monumentation, fences, ect., ect.,. Then methodically correlate the recovered evidence to the documentation in order to begin to reconstruct the crime scene with the intent of recovering all of the smoking guns possible such that you can make a solid argument as well as determine where to look for more collaborating evidence to build your case. Since your conclusions will impact adjoining property owners, be prepared to defend your conclusions. If there was a cookbook recipe for doing what you propose, chefs and short order cooks would be required to be professionally licensed to protect the health of the public.
Here in Oregon the DOT has traditionally acquired highway R/W in fee and by deed that describes a centerline and station/offset to the sidelines. They then follow up with surveys that monument the right of way lines. The only monuments actually called for in the writings, generally, are PLSS corners referenced in the centerline description. In these cases I assert that the right of way is the full stated width regardless of where the monuments might get placed.
County roads frequently follow section lines, with right of way (usually an easement) widths stated in the dedication documents. A call for a section line is a call for the monuments that mark it. Subsequently placed (uncalled for) monuments along the right of way lines do not control the right of way width. They may control sideline of the adjacent property, if called for for that purpose.?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ
Local roads in subdivision platting are commonly delineated by the right of way line monumented on both sides and roads dedicated by the plat. In this case the monuments are called for and should therefore be considered as controlling of the right of way.?ÿ Nevertheless, if such monuments are found to be no more than a few hundredths this way and that of the theoretical full width - as is frequently the case - it is usually prudent to apply the virtual hammer to them and hold the record width.?ÿ But if you have a substantial departure from the record the right of way monuments will control.
There are many hybrids of these circumstances. You have to really look at the dedication document to determine what may control.
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I'm confused.?ÿ Is this an RFP, and you're wondering how to determine the scope and figure the estimate, or an actual project already?
If it's a real project, look at the scope and talk to your client, whatever agency or entity is involved.?ÿ Or is this all in-house, your engineering department needing this?
As others have said, ask whoever is ultimately going to be responsible for this
Hey, it could be worse.?ÿ One nearby city had a significant upgrade of a State highway passing through it in about 1935.?ÿ The City condemned portions of lots in blocks along the route for "highway purposes".?ÿ The State Highway plans do not match those takings.?ÿ Thus, as one turns off of the highway into the grocery store, he leaves the highway R/W, crosses a strip shown by GIS to be owned by the city and then enters private property where the parking lot and store are located.
Often our plans from the state don't match the deeds acquired for the ROW. The deeds override the plans as a general rule. Some plans will show a construction and design ROW, those have caused all kinds of issues.?ÿ
Thank you all for the responses, I've been asking the LS's the work around me for assistance! Today I made some progress finding coordinates in our GIS to a section corner that is tied to the R/W on a neighboring record map for a feeding corridor. I believe I can carry out the R/W from there, unless I am mistaken, then use the private maps I've found to draft out property lines for my calcs. There's more to the story that I don't feel at liberty to reveal so eagerly on this forum, but I believe that is just the nature of the department I work in. I hope I'm able to keep moving forward in a productive direction!
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Scrappy
I would track down the source of those coordinates.?ÿ GIS sometimes just means Get It Surveyed.?ÿ I am in a completely different world than many here on the boards, but all of our integrated plans state:
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"Coordinates cannot, in themselves, be used to re-establish corners or boundaries shown on this plan."
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There is more to the story than just that sentence, but I will aim for a brief response here.?ÿ I would find out who has to sign off on your work and make sure that, whatever it is you decide to do, they are fine with it as it will be their name on it. If they are signing off on something, they should be providing guidance to meet their duty of professional care.
