The safe excavation process starts by calling Gopher State One Call (GSOC) and filing one of two types of tickets: a normal ticket or a meet ticket. The normal ticket is recommended for homeowners or one-time excavation projects that only need a 48-hour notice (excluding weekends and holidays). Your ticket remains valid 14 calendar days from the start date and time stated on the ticket unless the locate markings become obscured or obliterated. You can also make separate arrangements verify or refresh the marks; in which case your ticket may be valid for up to six months from the initial start date.

A meet ticket is a great option for professional excavators taking on extended projects, especially if your project requires frequent collaboration with facility operators or locators. Rather than having to consistently refile tickets, a meet ticket allows you to arrange a routine appointment with a facility operator. The initial meet time must be at least 48 hours after submitting the request to GSOC, not including weekends or holidays. You must request to physically meet at the excavation site and maintain written documentation of each meet including the Meet Documentation Form, which is available on the GSOC website and can be added to the meet ticket as a public attachment. Please note that facility operators require an extra 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) after the meet to provide utility locates.

File a normal ticket when:

• You expect to complete the work in a timely manner.
• You’re excavating at a single address.
• You have little or no need to communicate with locators.
• You have the intent to excavate within 48 hours.

File a meet ticket when:

• The project requires frequent communication with locators.
• The project has sections that need to be marked at different times.
• The project will last more than one month.
• There are more than 2000 linear feet of roadwork.
• There is a large site where the work will be done over time.
• The excavation is complex, or the site has a complicated layout.
• The site is secured and requires special access.