Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
Underground Utility Damage Prevention Program
Virginia 811 is the states’ one-call notification system, serving as the central point of contact for underground utility locate requests. Virginia law requires anyone planning to dig to notify 811 before work begins. While VDOT is among a very small number of statutory exceptions to Virginia 811 membership, VDOT maintains its own Underground Utility Damage Prevention Program to manage locate requests for VDOT-owned utilities and facilities within its rights-of-way.
About the Program
The VDOT program helps reduce the risk of damage to VDOT-owned underground utilities and supports safe excavation. It uses the VDOT Underground Utility Marking Request Application to coordinate communication between requestors and VDOT personnel or locators.
The program aligns closely with the Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act and includes similar processes for marking, response codes, timeframes, and safety requirements.
Key Program Information
The VDOT program applies only to VDOT-owned utilities within VDOT rights-of-way and facilities.
CONTACTING VDOT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONTACTING VIRGINIA 811.
Virginia law requires excavators to notify Virginia 811 before excavation begins.
It does not include:
- Private utilities located in VDOT rights-of-way
- Most municipal utility systems
- Public-private partnership (P3) roadway projects and express lanes
- Other independently operated facilities (e.g., tunnels, movable bridges)
These entities must be contacted directly or through Virginia 811 when applicable.
COMING SOON
View the VDOT
Underground Utility Damage Prevention
Program Manual
COMING SOON
Submit a VDOT Request
Visit the VDOT Underground Utility Marking Request Application for more information or to submit a request.
VDOT Underground Utility Damage Prevention Program FAQs
Virginia 811 handles underground utility locate requests for most utilities in Virginia. VDOT operates its own damage prevention program for VDOT-owned utilities within state-maintained rights-of-way.
The VDOT Underground Utility Damage Prevention Program helps protect VDOT-owned underground utilities and supports safe excavation within VDOT rights-of-way using its own marking request system and communication process.
The VDOT program follows many of the same principles as Virginia 811, including:
- Standard marking practices and colors
- Response codes and communication processes
- Required timeframes for marking
- Excavator safety expectations
This consistency helps contractors working across different project types in Virginia.
Use Virginia 811 when:
- Utilities are located within VDOT right-of-way but not owned by VDOT
- You are unsure who owns the underground facilities
The VDOT program does not cover:
- Private utilities within VDOT rights-of-way
- Most city or county-operated utility systems
- Public-private partnership (P3) projects (e.g., express lanes, toll facilities)
- Facilities operated by other authorities (tunnels, movable bridges, etc.)
These must be handled directly by the responsible entity or through Virginia 811 when applicable.
Submit requests through the VDOT Underground Utility Marking Request Application.
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