Dig season is upon us, and you have the potential to make it the smoothest one yet with Meet Tickets! It’s been over a year since Minnesota State Statue 216D was updated to change the requirements of Meet Tickets, and we’re continuing to see just how important this ticket type is. “This is about keeping people safe and projects running smoothly. Meet tickets give everyone a chance to talk through the work together, ask questions and avoid issues before they happen,” shared Mike Mendiola with the MN Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS).
Interested in learning more? We’ve gathered frequently asked questions about Meet Tickets below.
What is a Meet Ticket, and Why Should I Use it?
A Meet Ticket is a ticket type that brings project stakeholders together in person at the excavation site prior to the start of a project to discuss the project scope and clarify the excavation area. It’s used for large and/or complex projects that lie outside the scope of what a Normal Ticket would typically cover. In these situations, a Meet Ticket helps ensure excavators and utility operators clearly understand where and when work will take place before digging begins.
By meeting on site, documenting agreements, and following the requirements, excavators and utility operators can work together to prevent utility damage, service disruptions, and project delays. Meet Tickets are an important tool for improving communication, preventing damage to underground utilities, and keeping projects moving safely and efficiently.
When Do I Need to Use a Meet Ticket?
A Meet Ticket is required for excavation projects in MN that extend one mile or more in length, or when adjacent sections of work combine to equal one mile or more.
A few examples of what a Meet Ticket is required include:
- A route that is one mile or longer in length (linear projects)
- Work that circles a full block with footage totaling 5,280 feet or more
- Drain tile projects that cover one square mile or more
For a Meet Ticket to be valid, several requirements must be met:
- The meeting must take place at the excavation site.
- The meeting must occur at least 48 hours after the ticket is filed.
- Excavators and utility operators/locators (operator representatives or contract locators) are required to attend.
In some cases, all parties may agree that a meeting is not necessary. If that happens, the agreement must still be documented with Gopher State One Call (GSOC).
My Project Isn’t One Mile, But It is Complex—Should I Use a Meet Ticket?
Even when a project does not meet the one-mile threshold, excavators can still request a Meet Ticket if it would help improve communication amongst stakeholders. For example, a Meet might be beneficial if the excavation location is difficult to precisely describe in a routine locate request or if the work will progress in multiple phases that are easier to explain in person at the excavation site.
When Can I Start Digging After a Meet?
Once the meeting with all parties takes place, excavation may begin 48 hours or more after the Meet.
How Do I Document Meet Agreements?
Proper documentation ensures that all parties are on the same page and helps create a record of the agreement. Both the excavator and the locator/utility operator are required to submit documentation. There are several ways to document Meet Ticket agreements:
- Use the GSOC Meet documentation form available at gopherstateonecall.org or your own documentation system, but ensure it captures the same information as the GSOC Meet documentation form, including:
- Date and time of the on-site Meet
- Names, company affiliations, and contact info of all attendees
- Diagram, sketch, or description of the precise excavation locations, dates, and times
- Agreed to schedule of any future on-site Meets or communications
- Agreement on how often locate marks need to be relocated (refreshed) during the life of the Meet Ticket
- Download, complete, and upload the form as an attachment to the ticket
- Upload emails or screenshots of text messages confirming the agreement
- Use Ticket Talk, GSOC’s two-way communication tool, to send messages directly within the ticket. Messages sent through Ticket Talk are automatically saved to the ticket, providing a clear record of communications and agreements
If there is an agreement amongst all parties that a Meet is not required, this must also be documented with GSOC.
How Long is the Life of a Meet Ticket?
Meet Tickets are valid for up to six months, regardless of the original project timeline.
It’s important to note that changes to the Minnesota One Call law in 2024 require that excavation work must take place within the 14-day life of the ticket, including Meet Tickets. Submitting tickets without the intention to dig within that time frame is not permitted.
What If It Would be Helpful to Do a Meet, but I’m Not Yet Ready to Dig?
Great question! You may want to consider submitting a Design/Pre-Con Meet Ticket. Design/Pre-Con Meet Tickets (formerly Engineering/Pre-Con Meet Tickets) are a type of Non-Excavation Ticket used to set up a pre-con meeting with facility operators during all design and pre-construction phases of a project when there is no imminent intent to dig. These meetings are used to discuss factors such as scheduling, project design, and utility relocation. Click here to learn more about Design/Pre-Con Meet Tickets.
What if the Scope of My Project Changes?
If the scope of the project changes, such as in size, length, timeline, then excavator must update the Meet Ticket and arrange to meet again with the locators.
Are There Any Meet Ticket Best Practices?
Yes! To ensure the process works smoothly, keep these best practices in mind:
Attend the Meet. If you cannot attend, contact the other parties to reschedule.
Document all agreements with GSOC, including agreements that a Meet is not required. Upload that documentation through iSITE or describe agreements in Ticket Talk.
Use the GSOC Meet documentation form or your own documentation system, but ensure it captures the same information as the GSOC Meet documentation form.
Secure agreements from all parties involved and include screenshots of texts, emails, or forms when documenting agreements.
Avoid “ticket spraying,” which is submitting locate requests if excavation will not occur during the valid work period.
Where Can I Learn More About Meet Tickets?
You can find more information about Meet Tickets in the GSOC Handbook (visit our Resource Center for the latest version) and on our Meet Tickets page. If you have questions about Meet Tickets, the locate request submission process, or anything 811 related, contact our Customer Support team at 651-681-7326 or send us an email at [email protected].
If you have questions about Meet Tickets, the locate request submission process, or anything 811 related, contact our Customer Support team at 651-681-7326 or send us an email at [email protected].