(A) Crossings.
(1) Underground crossings are allowed only through sleeves, conduits, or heavier walled conduit with cathodic protection. The sleeve or conduit need only extend from the ditch centerline to the ditch centerline on the other side. Bends will be permitted on conduits which will contain electrical or communications cables. Bends in liquid and gas lines should be avoided where possible. In areas where excessive bury depths would be encountered; the County Roads Department may allow a series of sleeves at different elevations. All crossings shall be made as close to a right angle to the centerline of the roadway as possible. Crossings will not be allowed through drainage pipes or culverts. Crossing locations will be selected for minimum interference with existing, planned, or potential construction and with regard to other utilities crossing in the same area. Underground crossings shall not be placed within at least 10 feet of structures. Vents or sleeves will be located beyond the ditch line.
(2) Aerial crossings for utilities being accommodated under permit will be allowed. Crossings shall be made as normal to the roadway as possible. Poles shall be located no more than 1 foot inside the right-of-way where possible.
(B) Arterials and collectors - longitudinal.
(1) Longitudinal underground lines are allowed to be installed in arterials or sections of arterials where access control lines do not exist. The underground utilities must be installed outside of the shoulders, preferable between the ditch centerline and a line 3 feet inside the right-of-way line to allow a safe location strip for overhead facilities. Any appurtenances necessary for the utility shall not be located at or above grade within travel way, shoulder way or ditch line. Where there are no feasible alternatives, appurtenances will not be located in the wheel path. Longitudinal underground facilities shall not be placed within 10 feet of bridge foundations. The longitudinal location will be selected for minimum interference with existing, planned, or potential construction. The alignment selection shall be made with cognizance of existing and future longitudinal locations by other utilities parallel to the one being located. Where controlled access lines are present, a utility may obtain permission to locate within these lines by written request to the County Roads Department for an exemption based on the alternative locations being cost prohibitive and/or technically unfeasible. Descriptions and the cost of the requested location and the alternates must be shown.
(2) Longitudinal aerial lines for utilities being accommodated under permit shall be located close to the right-of-way line, 1 foot inside, if possible.
(3) Longitudinal electrical lines, both overhead and underground, shall be limited to 98 kilovolts rms to ground.
(C) Conversion or roadway improvements. When a roadway is converted, widened or realigned, existing underground utilities which, if not relocated, would exist in the shoulders and may not have to be relocated provided:
(1) The present depth of cover, without adjustment, will be within county specifications.
(2) The existing system is in good condition and can safely withstand the stress of highway construction and maintenance traffic.
(D) Inadequate right-of-way. In areas where adequate right-of-way does not exist outside the traveled roadway or sidewalk, the County Roads Department may exclude the restrictions of this section to accommodate utilities if it is determined that the levels of service and safety intended for this section of roadway are not unreasonable compromised.
(E) Markers. The location of crossing facilities must be indicated by line markers located at or outside the roadway right-of-way line except for facilities crossing non-limited access roadways in cities, business, or residential districts or where the placement of markers is not practical and would not serve the purpose for which markers are intended. Markers should indicate the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the facility and, in the case of pipelines, the substance conveyed.
(Ord. —, passed 6-30-2009) Penalty, see § 54.99