When conflicting locate marks are encountered, which parties should be consulted?

• A. The site supervisor only.
• B. The contractor's estimator.
• C. The nearest road authority only.
• D. The responsible utility owner and MDT.

Answer: (D)

When you encounter conflicting locate marks, you must bring in the people who have authority over both the utilities and the state highway corridor. That means consulting the owner of the utility involved and the Montana Department of Transportation. The utility owner has the best knowledge of the actual location and any relocation options for their facilities, while MDT coordinates work within the state right-of-way and ensures highway safety and compliance. Getting both sides involved prevents damaging infrastructure and keeps the project aligned with regulatory requirements. In contrast, relying only on the site supervisor, the contractor’s estimator, or the nearest road authority doesn’t provide the necessary jurisdiction and expertise to resolve the conflict properly. Stop work if needed and involve the responsible utility owner and MDT to determine the correct path forward.