[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I know, but I always wonder what is being done that couldn't have been done before the rest of it was laid.

I full understand sometimes sh** happens, but it seems like this happens on nearly every project so, at some point, you would think, "Hey, maybe would should schedule that utility BEFORE we lay the asphalt"

Or is there something in the process that is going to screw up the other regardless of the order?

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Usually last minute changes by engineering, material delivery late, or a deficiency that needs to be fixed.

It will often happen where something big needs to be done for the scheduling, but there's something small that "should" be done before it, but isn't - for one of many good reasons. Do you wait to do the big thing so that the small thing can be completed? No, you would blow your schedule.

Often, it's just cheaper and faster to finish the whole surface, then cut holes in it, than to leave the holes in the first place. It's just how it is.

It's also why asphalt is done in several "lifts" - coats. There's a final lift to go on yet, which will be done when everything else is done. For many projects, the final lift isn't even done until several years after the project opens, just in case there's some settling somewhere.