Unknown In-Road Survey Marker?

[+EdrickV]

What is this?

 

A while ago when I was talking to some family members about benchmarks they mentioned that there was one in the middle of a road that a surveyor used when doing a property survey of some nearby land. Wasn't anything listed in the NGS database so I went out to see what it was, and got a pic of what I believe to be the cover for some sort of local survey mark and I'm interested to know if anyone recognizes it. After that I was watching and saw a bunch more on major roads in the Mecosta, MI area. Unfortunately since they're in the middle of the road I couldn't really take the time to open the cover (if that's what it is) and see what is under it.

[southpawaz]

It is definitely a hand-hole, which may have a survey monument inside. Alternatively, there may be a gas or water valve below.

[southpawaz]

Here's an excerpt of the detail drawing showing how ours are constructed:

 

[68-eldo]

In my neighborhood we have street survey markers. These are markers on the center line that designate the beginning and end of tangent sections, center of intersections and maybe more. They are located under a hand hole to protect them during resurfacing etc.

 

I have seen surveyors use these when locating property corners on my street. This maybe what you are seeing.

 

Check to see if the ones you see are at the point where the road transitions from a straightaway to a curve and in the center of intersections.

[+EdrickV]

Gas or water seems unlikely as this was out in the country where people still use propane tanks/wood stoves/electric heat and well water. (And cell phone coverage is still spotty.) The road in question is a county road and state highway and there aren't any turns or intersections for quite a ways. (Out there we have N-S & E-W roads about every mile, terrain permitting.) It is believed to be about 1 mile South of the center of a town, and I think there was another one in the intersection in the center of town. I know there was one North of town, but don't know for sure how far North. I also saw a bunch of them South on that road and in places on a different Country Road/State Highway. (Note that these "highways" are mostly just 2-lane roads in that area, with an occasional turn lane at an intersection.) I haven't seen them in the more urban areas around home, but then I haven't been looking for them and they're easy to miss.

 

It's actually visible on Google Streetview:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=remus,+mi&hl=en&ll=43.582082,-85.145381&spn=0.004002,0.010568&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.547176,86.572266&hnear=Remus,+Mecosta,+Michigan&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.582082,-85.145381&panoid=bke7wTiRDs2gJR_PZhTcTg&cbp=12,252.58,,0,21.93

 

Edit: In retrospect, it would be at an intersection except that a county road doesn't actually go through due to a lake. And thus it would be at the intersection of M-66 and an extended 8-mile. Which means it is one mile south of town.

 

Edit2: With a little more looking in Street View, these do seem to be placed about every mile or so along M-66 and I think M-20, even when there isn't an intersection there due to roads not going through.

Edited April 21, 2012 by EdrickV

[southpawaz]

Seeing where it is on the map, it is almost certainly a section corner of the Public Land Survey System. Monuments were set every mile at the corners of sections (section corners), and at the +/- half mile midpoint in between (quarter corners). The quarter corners were set to serve as the basis for further subdivisions of the section.

[+EdrickV]

Seeing where it is on the map, it is almost certainly a section corner of the Public Land Survey System. Monuments were set every mile at the corners of sections (section corners), and at the +/- half mile midpoint in between (quarter corners). The quarter corners were set to serve as the basis for further subdivisions of the section.

 

After checking out the online PLSS map here:

http://www.geocommunicator.gov/GeoComm/lsis_home/home/

That would definitely be a PLSS section corner. The locations of two other markers also match that map. And now I've learned about a little known landlocked park called Meridian-Baseline State Park. The oddest state park I know of since accessing it would require going through privately owned land. And apparently it has some huge PLSS benchmarks.

[Z15]

Thats what is called a Monument Box. Its used for any type of survey marker place in the roadway in Michigan. As a matter of fact I set hundreds of them while I was at the DOT, I hate them, they are cast iron and heavy,+/- 40lbs??. Most that are on centerline are highway alingment points though and I would say 95% of what you find are highway alignment points. Contractors are required to place them on all Highway projects.

 

You won't find monunment inside like the pic, could be anything from a plane pin to a licensed surveyors cap. Only the box is standardized, not what you want to use for the mark.

 

MDOT Standard Specifications

821.01

Section 821. PRESERVATION OF LAND MONUMENTS, CONTROL

POINTS, AND PROPERTY CORNERS

821.01. Description. This work consists of preserving the corners and

control points as shown on the plans, identified in the contract, or

directed by the Engineer. These corners and control points are defined

in subsection 821.01.A. The Department considers the terms point and

corner synonymous when used in this section.

A. Definitions.

Public Land Survey System Corners. Section Corners,

¼ Section Corners, Center of Sections, and Meander Corners.

Property Controlling Corners. Corners that control boundaries for

several parcels of land and include ¼ – ¼ (1/16) Corners,

Property Corners, Subdivision Corners and Subdivision Block

Corners.

Alignment Control Points. Points of Curvature (PCs), Points of

Tangent Intersections (PIs), Points on Tangents (POTs), Points

on Tangents in Curve Areas (POCTs), and Points on Curve

Centerline (POCs). Alignment Points may be Property

Controlling Corners.

Geodetic Control Points. Horizontal or Vertical Control

Monuments are published by the National Geodetic Survey as

part of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).

B. Administrative Requirements. In accordance with 1980 PA 299,

perform work to verify point positions, evaluate, witness, place points,

and report, under the direct supervision of a professional surveyor

licensed in the State of Michigan. Use employees of the professional

surveyor, or surveying firm to perform this work.

Coordinate with the licensed professional surveyor during construction

activities to schedule the work, including the following:

1. Verification of preliminary point positions;

2. Setting of temporary witnesses;

3. Installing monument boxes in paved areas; and

4. Final placement of preservation points.

Ensure the licensed professional surveyor notifies the Engineer of the

completion of the required preliminary verification and witnessing work

before beginning construction activities on the project.

705

821.01

Witness corners and points identified as “Preserve” with straight-line

witnesses before beginning construction. Reestablish the corners and

points in accordance with this section and 1970 PA 74.

The plans will identify Vertical Control Monuments published by the

National Geodetic Survey (NGS), as part of the National Spatial

Reference System, that may be disturbed or destroyed during

construction as “Preserve-Vertical”. Transfer or reference the original

benchmark elevation of these monuments before the start of

construction. Follow the procedures established in the NGS Benchmark

Reset Procedure guidelines for transferring, referencing, resetting, and

documenting a National Geodetic Survey Vertical Control Monument,

found at the following website address:

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/heightmod/Leveling/Manuals/Benchmark_9_13

_07.pdf

The guidelines are also available through the National Geodetic Survey

website. Contact the appropriate MDOT Region Surveyor and the NGS

State Geodetic Advisor to discuss before beginning field work.

Submit the required data for each monument to the MDOT Region

Surveyor and the NGS State Geodetic Advisor for review.

Upon completing the requirements of this section and 1970 PA 74, for

each corner and point identified as “Preserve”, ensure the licensed

professional surveyor submits, to the Department, two copies of a “Land

Corner Recordation Certificate,” approved by the Michigan State Board

of Professional Surveyors for Section 5 of Act 74. Do not document

more than four survey points on each form. Submit one copy of the

“Land Corner Recordation Certificate” to the Engineer and mail one copy

to the MDOT Region Survey Manager.

For Public Land Survey System Corners or previously recorded Property

Controlling Corners preserved under this provision, ensure the licensed

professional surveyor records a Land Corner Recordation Certificate in

the Register of Deeds Office in the County where the corner is located.

Transmit the two copies of the Land Corner Recordation Certificate with

the Register of Deeds recording stamp with the Liber and Page or File

Number where the certificate is recorded. Review, with the licensed

professional surveyor, the positions of corners within and near the

construction limits identified on the plans as “Protect”. Mark these

positions to prevent their disturbance. If a corner is in danger of being

disturbed, identify and witness the corner with straight-line witnesses

before construction, using the same method as for corners identified as

“Preserve”.

706

821.03

Corners identified as “Protect”, but witnessed and left undisturbed, do not

require remonumentation. Maintain documentation of witnesses for

payment purposes.

Ensure the licensed professional surveyor submits, to the Department,

two copies of a list of corners identified as “Protect,” indicating the

corners witnessed by the professional surveyor. List corners, identified

as “Protect,” as “not witnessed”, if outside the construction area, not in

danger of disturbance, and not witnessed. Include, in the list identifying

“Protect” corners, a statement indicating that the corners were found

undisturbed after construction. Ensure the licensed professional

surveyor signs, seals, and dates the statement.

Complete the work and submit the documentation within four weeks after

the completion of construction work.

821.02. Materials. Provide and install monument box castings, as

required by law, at survey points shown on the plans, or directed by the

Engineer.

Provide and install a monument to mark the location of a replaced Plat

Block Corner or Plat Corner not located in pavement or other hard

surfaces. This monument must consist of a precast concrete cylinder

4 inches in diameter, 36 inches in length, and have a ½-inch rebar

protruding 1 inch from the center of the cylinder. Other monuments must

be at least ½ inch in diameter and at least 18 inches long.

Ensure that monuments possess a magnetic field and are legibly capped

showing the license number of the professional surveyor.

821.03. Construction. Reestablish the horizontal position of

monuments within 0.02 foot of the original position.

Install points in paved surfaces in monument boxes. Install points

located outside of paved surfaces and within gravel roadways, including

gravel shoulders, at least 6 inches below the gravel surface. Install

points, located outside of paved surfaces, and outside of unpaved

roadways, flush with the ground. Drill and grout points located on rock

outcroppings into solid rock to at least 8 inches deep.

Install monument boxes in accordance with Standard Plan R-11 Series.

Reinstall old monument boxes if the monument boxes meet the

requirements of Standard Plan R-11 Series.

Use coring, after completion of paving operations, to place new

monument boxes in pavement areas. Obtain the Engineer’s approval of

coring equipment before starting the work. Use a core diameter no

greater than 1 inch larger than the largest diameter of the monument

707

821.03

box. Grout the monument box in place using non-shrink grout to the full

depth, as approved by the Engineer. Do not place the grout in the

monument box. Do not place granular material more than 0.1 foot above

bottom of the monument box frame. Install monument boxes so neither

the box nor the cover extends above the pavement surface and so no

part is more than 0.02 foot below the pavement surface. Compact the

material at the base of the box before placing the box.

Prevent the reset monument or cap from touching the side of the

monument box. Position the center of the monument within 0.25 foot of

the center of the monument box. Position the top of the monument from

0.1 foot to 0.5 foot below the top of the monument box.

Before construction, measure the distance from the corner position to

existing record witnesses to within ±0.01 foot to verify and establish the

“Preserve” corner position. Document the record and measured

distances to existing witnesses on the Land Corner Recordation

Certificate.

To preserve existing points, place temporary witnesses with straight-line

witnesses before construction begins. Place at least four hubs with

tacks, two on each side of the roadway, outside potential construction

activity limits, at right angles to the roadway centerline. Determine

precise measurements from the corner to points on the temporary

witness line. Document this information in Section B of the Land Corner

Recordation Certificate.

If not measuring temporary witness points directly from the corner, make

check measurements to ensure the accuracy of the directly measured

witness. Submit a copy of the field notes for these check measurements

to the Department.

During remonumentation, check and compare straight-line witnesses

with the record measurements. For deviations from the record

measurements, document the new measurement and the record

measurement, and the method for resolving the deviations in

remonumentation, in Section B of the Land Corner Recordation

Certificate.

Preservation of existing points includes documenting at least four newly

established or recovered permanent record witness points expected to

remain for five years after construction.

Locate witnesses in at least three separate quadrants from the corner

monument. Orient witness points from the corner position by bearing to

the nearest 5 degrees, and distance to within 0.01 foot.

708

821.04

Record, in Section C of the Land Corner Recordation Certificate, a

detailed description of the monument, noting the monument box if

required, the designation of the monument (PC, PI, PT, POT, and

stationing), and a complete description of the remaining witnesses.

For Alignment Points and Geodetic Control Points, record the control

section, job number, route name, point designation, and stationing in

item “3. Miscellaneous” on the Land Corner Recordation Certificate.

821.04. Measurement and Payment.

Pay Item Pay Unit

Monument Preservation ............................................................... Each

Monument Preservation, Vertical ................................................. Each

Monument Box ............................................................................. Each

Protect Corners ............................................................................ Each

Monument Box Adjust .................................................................. Each

A. Monument Preservation. The Engineer will measure Monument

Preservation by the number of monuments, public land survey corners,

property controlling corners, and highway alignment control points

preserved. The unit price for Monument Preservation includes the cost

of the following:

1. Preliminary position verification;

2. Temporary witnessing;

3. Providing and installing new monument and permanent witnessing;

4. Recording the Land Corner Record Certificate in accordance with

1970 PA 74;

5. Providing the required documents;

6. Preparation work;

7. Traffic maintenance;

8. Cleanup; and

9. Site restoration.

B. Monument Preservation, Vertical. The Engineer will measure

Monument Preservation, Vertical by the number of vertical geodetic

control points preserved. The unit price for Monument Preservation,

Vertical includes the cost of the following:

1. Preparation work,

2. Traffic maintenance,

3. Cleanup,

4. Site restoration, and

5. Other costs associated with this work.

709

821.04

C. Monument Box. The unit price for Monument Box includes the

cost of removing existing monument boxes, and providing and installing

the monument box castings and monument box cover.

D. Protect Corners. The unit price for Protect Corners includes the

cost of verifying point positions before and after construction, witnessing

before construction, and documentation.

E. Monument Box Adjust. The unit price for Monument Box Adjust

includes the cost of providing and installing monument box adjusting

rings, and raising or lowering monument boxes to a position flush with

the final paved grade.

If the adjustment process disturbs the location of a monument, the unit

price for Monument Box Adjust includes the cost of verifying the

preliminary position, temporary witnessing, permanent witnessing,

recording the Land Corner Record Certificate in accordance with 1970

PA 74, and providing the required documents.

710.

Edited April 22, 2012 by Z15

[+EdrickV]

Unless I can find a section corner on publicly accessible land that actually has something there, I won't actually be seeing what is inside those monument boxes. And I don't know if PLSS section corners that aren't at a road would have anything there. (The monument boxes I have seen in the road all seem to correspond to PLSS section corners, I haven't seen any others. Though I could have missed some, they're not always easy to see. )

 

This thread, and the research I've done as a result of it, has incidentally cleared up a little mystery about where the name "Baseline road" came from. And kinda makes me want to try to arrange a visit to Meridian-Baseline Historical State Park.

[68-eldo]

Unless I can find a section corner on publicly accessible land that actually has something there, I won't actually be seeing what is inside those monument boxes. And I don't know if PLSS section corners that aren't at a road would have anything there. (The monument boxes I have seen in the road all seem to correspond to PLSS section corners, I haven't seen any others. Though I could have missed some, they're not always easy to see. )

 

This thread, and the research I've done as a result of it, has incidentally cleared up a little mystery about where the name "Baseline road" came from. And kinda makes me want to try to arrange a visit to Meridian-Baseline Historical State Park.

 

When you go you should find the Michigan Meridian. Looks like it is in the woods. Check this website:

http://www.pmproject.org/MIPM.htm

 

The coordinates I have for that is:

42°25'28.00"N

84°21'53.00"W

 

If you get better coordinates please share them here.

 

Thanks

[+EdrickV]

Unless I can find a section corner on publicly accessible land that actually has something there, I won't actually be seeing what is inside those monument boxes. And I don't know if PLSS section corners that aren't at a road would have anything there. (The monument boxes I have seen in the road all seem to correspond to PLSS section corners, I haven't seen any others. Though I could have missed some, they're not always easy to see. )

 

This thread, and the research I've done as a result of it, has incidentally cleared up a little mystery about where the name "Baseline road" came from. And kinda makes me want to try to arrange a visit to Meridian-Baseline Historical State Park.

 

When you go you should find the Michigan Meridian. Looks like it is in the woods. Check this website:

http://www.pmproject.org/MIPM.htm

 

The coordinates I have for that is:

42°25'28.00"N

84°21'53.00"W

 

If you get better coordinates please share them here.

 

Thanks

 

The two benchmarks would by why I'd be interested in going. There's an old thread about the park here:

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=93113

 

And the two benchmarks have been added to Waymarking.com:

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA4FT_Michigan_Meridian_Baseline_State_Park

http://www.Waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA4VH_Michigan_Prime_Meridian_Benchmark

 

There was apparently a Geocaching event out there at some point in the past. The official website of the park, which doesn't have much detail but does have the phone number mentioned in the thread, is here:

http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=471&type=SPRK

 

Edit: Oh, and this isn't something I'm planning to do anytime soon, it's more like something to put on my bucket list.

Edited April 23, 2012 by EdrickV

[68-eldo]

Thanks for the links. I’ve updated my info.

[CallawayMT]

Unless I can find a section corner on publicly accessible land that actually has something there, I won't actually be seeing what is inside those monument boxes. And I don't know if PLSS section corners that aren't at a road would have anything there. (The monument boxes I have seen in the road all seem to correspond to PLSS section corners, I haven't seen any others. Though I could have missed some, they're not always easy to see. )

 

This thread, and the research I've done as a result of it, has incidentally cleared up a little mystery about where the name "Baseline road" came from. And kinda makes me want to try to arrange a visit to Meridian-Baseline Historical State Park.

 

When you go you should find the Michigan Meridian. Looks like it is in the woods. Check this website:

http://www.pmproject.org/MIPM.htm

 

The coordinates I have for that is:

42°25'28.00"N

84°21'53.00"W

 

If you get better coordinates please share them here.

 

Thanks

 

Hey I've been there! I have been busy and away from the posts for awhile and missing these good conversations.

Kurt

[AZcachemeister]

Unless I can find a section corner on publicly accessible land that actually has something there, I won't actually be seeing what is inside those monument boxes. And I don't know if PLSS section corners that aren't at a road would have anything there. (The monument boxes I have seen in the road all seem to correspond to PLSS section corners, I haven't seen any others. Though I could have missed some, they're not always easy to see. )

 

This thread, and the research I've done as a result of it, has incidentally cleared up a little mystery about where the name "Baseline road" came from. And kinda makes me want to try to arrange a visit to Meridian-Baseline Historical State Park.

 

It's not exactly a State Park, but I have an EarthCache (adopted) at Meridian and Baseline.

 

GC17NQ9

[+EdrickV]

Unless I can find a section corner on publicly accessible land that actually has something there, I won't actually be seeing what is inside those monument boxes. And I don't know if PLSS section corners that aren't at a road would have anything there. (The monument boxes I have seen in the road all seem to correspond to PLSS section corners, I haven't seen any others. Though I could have missed some, they're not always easy to see. )

 

This thread, and the research I've done as a result of it, has incidentally cleared up a little mystery about where the name "Baseline road" came from. And kinda makes me want to try to arrange a visit to Meridian-Baseline Historical State Park.

 

It's not exactly a State Park, but I have an EarthCache (adopted) at Meridian and Baseline.

 

GC17NQ9

 

Totally different Meridian and Baseline roads then mine. Interestingly enough that Meridian Road is nowhere near where the PLSS grid starts for your state. Though I see you've already found the benchmark that marks the initial point of the PLSS grid for your state. Which unlike the Michigan one is actually in the NGS database.