Geographic Information System-based Pipeline Route Selection Process

The Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy recently began construction of the Point of the Mountain Aqueduct. This 1,524 mm (60 in.) diameter pipeline will convey finished water approximately 9 km (12 mi) through mostly developed areas of two communities. Construction of a large-diameter transmission pipeline through heavily developed cities creates many engineering, construction, and public relations challenges. A geographic information system (GIS)-based route selection process was used to provide a rational basis for narrowing hundreds of potential alternatives into one final alignment corridor. The route selection process was based on construction costs as well as important noncost issues. The use of GIS data and GIS analysis software was critical to the success of this project. The GIS software allowed large amounts of pipeline costrelated data to be collected, stored, and documented for each alignment alternative. It was also used to analyze the network of possible alternatives to quickly determine the optimum route between two points based upon construction costs. This allowed for a logical selection and ranking of alternatives, resulting in one final alignment corridor that was acceptable to all of the stakeholders in the project.