Pathway to Permitting: Understanding Chicago’s OUC Review and Damage Prevention Processes
The Chicago Department of Transportation’s Office of Underground Coordination (OUC) and engineers from Collins Engineers, Inc. will give an overview of the OUC, procedures, and permitting processes.
Learning Objectives
- The audience will learn a brief history of the Office of Underground Coordination and how its establishment and subsequent participation by stakeholders (utility owners, engineers, contractors, etc.) has made Chicago a national leader in underground damage prevention and safety.
- The audience will gain an understanding of the Information Retrieval (IR) process before taking a deep dive into the Existing Facility Protection (EFP) review process and steps for achieving approval status prior to CDOT permitting.
- The audience will understand the Deep Excavation Existing Facility Protection (DEEFP) review process and submission requirements, and the steps necessary for achieving approval status prior to CDOT permitting.
1 CE credit
Registration
Members: FREE
Nonmembers: $25
About the Speakers
Sheetal James
Sheetal James is a Project Director at the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). She serves as Chairperson of the Office of Underground Coordination (OUC), which is responsible for safeguarding the city's surface and subsurface infrastructure from potential damage caused by construction, installation, and maintenance activities. Sheetal leads coordination among the 29 public and private utility members of the OUC, ensuring that all proposed projects are thoroughly reviewed for their potential impact on existing infrastructure prior to CDOT permit approval. Her leadership ensures efficient collaboration across agencies while protecting vital city assets.
Allen Markoem
Allen Markoem is a transportation and infrastructure professional with experience spanning both state and municipal agencies. A former member of SEAOC/SEAOSD, Allen began his career gaining valuable experience within the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), working in the Bureaus of Construction and Traffic. Currently, he works for the Office of Underground Coordination (OUC) within the Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Division of Infrastructure Management. Collaborating closely with Adam Ali, CDOT’s Geotechnical Reviewer, Allen facilitates the OUC’s review of projects requiring geotechnical evaluation, helping applicants navigate the approval process necessary for Public Way Permit issuance.
Kelly Samara, P.E.
Kelly Samara is the Group Manager of Infrastructure Management at Collins Engineers and currently serves as the Program Manager of the Project Coordination Office (PCO) within the Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Division of Infrastructure Management (DIM). Operating under the supervision of the Office of Underground Coordination (OUC) and CDOT DIM, Kelly leads a team of consulting engineers and planners in managing and coordinating all construction impacts to the Chicago public right of way. Her work ensures efficient project planning, reduced conflicts, and the protection of city infrastructure through effective interagency coordination.
Naser Elsbihi, S.E., P.E.
Naser Elsbihi is the Lead GeoStructural Engineer at Collins Engineers, Inc., where he brings over a decade of specialized experience in geotechnical and structural engineering. In his current role, Naser provides expert technical support to the Geotechnical Reviewer for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) within the Office of Underground Coordination (OUC). His work plays a critical role in the review and oversight of deep foundation and earth retention systems across complex urban infrastructure projects. Naser is recognized for his deep understanding of subsurface conditions, excavation support systems, and regulatory coordination, making him a key contributor to safe and efficient design implementation in the city of Chicago.
