A. General Standards: Excavation, backfilling, patching, restoration, and all other work performed in the right-of-way must be done in conformance with all applicable Minnesota Statutes and Administrative Rules, including without limitation Rules 7819.5000 and 7819.5100, all requirements of this Code, and local guide specifications and standard details that are consistent with Minnesota Statutes sections 237.162 and 237.163. Installation of service laterals must be performed in accordance with Minnesota Rules chapter 7560 and this Code. The permit holder shall comply with the following additional standards when performing the work authorized under the right-of-way permit:
1. Take such precautions as are necessary to avoid creating unsanitary conditions.
2. Conduct the operations and perform the work in a manner that insures the least obstruction to and interference with traffic.
3. Take adequate precautions to insure the safety of the general public and those who require access to abutting property.
4. Notify adjoining property owners prior to commencement of work which may disrupt the use of and access to such adjoining properties.
5. Comply with the Minnesota Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices at all times during construction or installation.
6. Exercise caution at all times for the protection of persons, including employees, and property.
7. Protect and identify excavations and work operations with barricade flags and, if required, by a flag person in the daytime and by warning lights at night. All traffic control devices shall conform to the latest addition of the Minnesota Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices, including the latest edition of the Field Manual for Temporary Traffic Control Zone Layouts.
8. Provide proper trench protection as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in order to prevent cave-ins endangering life.
9. Protect the root growth of trees and shrubbery.
10. If possible, provide for space in the installation area for other right-of-way users.
11. Maintain access to all properties and cross streets as possible during construction and installation and maintain emergency vehicle access at all times.
12. Maintain alignment and grade unless otherwise authorized by the City. Changes not approved by the City will require removal and reconstruction.
13. During plowing or trenching of facilities, a warning tape must be placed at a depth of twelve inches (12") above copper cables with over two hundred (200) pairs and above fiber facilities.
14. Below concrete or bituminous paved road, sidewalk and trail surfaces, directional bore facilities must be installed in conduit of a type determined by the permit holder.
15. The placing of all facilities must comply with the National Electric Safety Code, as incorporated by reference in Minnesota Statutes section 326B.35.
16. At the direction of the Director, facilities being installed or relocated within a high density corridor shall be placed in a common conduit system or share other common structures.
17. A Minnesota licensed surveyor shall be used to locate property lines, install property pins, and replace any destroyed property pins at corners.
18. Excavations, trenches, and jacking pits off the roadway or adjacent to the roadway or curbing shall be sheathed and braced depending upon location and soil stability and as directed by the City.
19. Excavations, trenches, and jacking pits shall be protected when unattended to prevent entrance of surface drainage.
20. All backfilling must be placed in six inch (6") layers at optimum moisture and compacted with the objective of attaining ninety five percent (95%) of Standard Proctor. Compaction shall be accomplished with hand, pneumatic, or vibrating compactors as appropriate.
21. Backfill material shall be subject to the approval of the Director. The Director may permit backfilling with the material from the excavation provided such material is acceptable to the Director.
22. Compacted backfill shall be brought to bottom of the aggregate base of the approved street section.
23. All work performed in the right-of-way shall be done in conformance with local guide specifications and standard details, unless a less stringent standard is approved by the Director.
24. Street and pedestrian traffic shall be maintained throughout construction unless provided otherwise by the permit.
25. No lugs damaging to roadway surfaces may be used.
26. Dirt or debris must be removed daily during construction, which may require the use of a mechanical sweeper.
27. Above-ground utility markers may not be installed except as authorized by the Director.
28. Above-ground utility cabinets, pedestals, and boxes shall be identified with a durable external sign or marker reflecting the name and contact information of the owner of the facility.
29. Other reasonable standards and requirements of the Director.
B. Standards For Installation, Relocation Or Replacement Of Underground Utilities: The right-of-way permit holder shall comply with the following standards when installing facilities underground:
1. Longitudinal installations, relocations, or replacement under streets, sidewalks and trails are prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Director.
2. Crossing of streets, sidewalks, trails, and hard surfaced driveways shall be directional bored at a minimum depth of sixty inches (60") unless otherwise approved by the Director.
3. Buried facilities below concrete or bituminous paved street, trail, and sidewalk surfaces must be placed at a minimum depth of sixty inches (60"). Other buried facilities shall be placed at a minimum depth of three feet (3') and a maximum depth of four feet (4') unless an alternate location is approved in advance by the Director.
4. If construction is open cut, the permit holder must install the visual tracers within twelve inches (12") and over buried facilities. If other construction methods are used, substitute location methods will be considered.
5. The permit holder shall register with Gopher State One Call and comply with the requirements of that system.
6. Compaction in a trench shall be ninety five percent (95%) of Standard Proctor and copies of test results must be submitted to the Director. Tests will be required at the discretion of the Director. Tests must be conducted by an independent testing firm at locations approved by the Director. The Director may require recompaction and new tests if densities are not met.
7. The facilities shall be located so as to avoid traffic signals and signs, which are generally placed a minimum of three feet (3') behind the curb.
8. When utilizing trenchless installation methods to cross an area in which a Municipal utility is located, and when directed by the City, the permit holder shall excavate an observation hole over the utility to ensure that the City utility is not damaged.
9. All junction boxes or access points shall be located no closer than ten feet (10') from City hydrants, valves, manholes, lift stations, or catch basins unless an alternate location is approved by the City.
10. Underground facilities shall not be installed between a hydrant and an auxiliary valve.
11. Buried telecommunications facilities must have a locating wire or conductive shield, except for dielectric cables.
12. Buried fiber facilities must be placed in a conduit of a type determined by the right-of-way user unless the permit holder obtains a waiver from the City.
C. Standards For Installation, Relocation, Or Replacement Of Overhead Facilities: The right-of-way permit holder shall comply with the following standards when installing facilities, other than small wireless facilities, overhead:
1. All wires shall be a minimum of eighteen feet (18') above paved surfaces and at a location that does not interfere with traffic signals, overhead signs, or street lights.
2. Facilities shall be co-located on poles where possible.
3. Placing overhead facilities on both sides of the right-of-way is prohibited unless specifically approved by the Director.
D. Trenchless Excavation: A right-of-way permit holder employing trenchless excavation methods, including but not limited to horizontal directional drilling, shall follow all requirements set forth in Minnesota Statutes chapter 216D and Minnesota Rules chapter 7560, and shall employ potholing or open cutting over existing underground utilities before excavating as determined by the City. (Ord. 2019-003, 3-19-2019)