(a) Overhead.
(1) General. A consideration for locating poles, guys and related facilities along the highway is the width of the space between the edge of shoulder or curb line and the right-of-way line and its availability and suitability for accommodating such facilities. The safety, maintenance, efficiency, and appearance of the highway are enhanced by keeping this space as free as practical from encroachment by obstacles above the ground. Poles, guys, or other facilities shall not be located in a highway median. Where the road makes a curve, the conductor overhangs the road without crossing from 1 side to the other, all crossing, and longitudinal clearance criteria must be met. In all construction details not specifically covered herein, the current requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code shall govern.
(2) Type of Construction.
(a) Longitudinal installations within highway right-of-way should be limited to single pole type of construction. Joint-use single pole construction is encouraged, as indicated by Rule 222 of Part 2 of the National Electrical Safety Code, at locations where more than 1 utility or type of facility is involved. This is of particular significance at locations where right-of-way widths approach the minimum needed for safe operations or maintenance requirements, or where separate installations may require extensive removal or alteration of trees.
(b) Self-supporting poles or towers and/or dead-end construction should be employed at all highway crossings of overhead lines. The prime concern is the safety and appearance of the crossing. It is necessary to assure that structures will not fall or allow conductors to drop on the roadway and become a hazard. The National Electrical Safety Code, Section 24 through 26, sets forth the strengths required for grades of construction for different situations. Construction that complies with this part of the Code will meet the division’s requirements. No lines shall be attached to trees or any other items not specifically designed and constructed for carrying them.
(3) Vertical Clearance. The minimum vertical clearance for overhead electrical and communication lines shall conform to the current National Electrical Safety Code (See Figures 1 and 4). Cable television lines and individual television lead-in wires shall not be placed above existing power lines.
(4) Location.
(a) Poles and related facilities should be located at the right-of-way line, or as near the right-of-way line as possible, outside of all intersecting radii and the Division’s maintenance operating areas. As a minimum, the poles should be located outside the applicable clear zone for the highway section involved. This location is to be consistent with the standards applied to the elimination of other obstacles. On curbed sections in urban areas, the utilities should be located as far as practical behind the face of the curb and, where feasible behind the sidewalk. Exception to these clearances may be made where poles and guys can be placed at locations behind guardrails, deep drainage ditches, toe or top of steep slopes, retaining walls and other similarly protected locations, or where they are of a breakaway type design. The nature and extent of highway development and the ruggedness of the terrain being traversed are controlling factors for locating poles, guys and related facilities near the right-of-way line.
(b) Location of overhead utility installations on roadways with narrow right-of-way or on urban streets with abutting improvements are special cases which must be resolved in a manner consistent with the prevailing limitations and conditions. Before locating the utility at other than the right-of-way line, consideration should be given to designs employing self-supporting, armless, single pole construction, with vertical alignment of wires or cables, or other techniques permitted by government or industry codes that are conducive to a safe traffic environment.
(c) Where irregular shaped portions of the right-of-way are involved, variances in location from the right-of-way line may be allowed as necessary to maintain a reasonably uniform alignment for longitudinal installations.
(5) Service Drops and Guy Wire. Guy wires to ground anchors and stub poles should not be placed between a pole and the traveled way where they encroach upon the clear zone. No poles, stubs for guys, or anchors should be located in such a manner as to interfere with highway maintenance activities. An installation, made in accordance with an approved permit or utility agreement, covers future construction of service drops and guy wires where no poles or stubs are to be located within the roadway right-of-way, and the installation conforms with this manual.
(b) Underground.
(1) General. All the regulations previously outlined for pipelines shall be applied to underground installations of electric and communication lines, except as indicated below.
(2) Crossings. Buried cable crossings under paved roads will require conduit if diameter of the bore is in excess of 3 inches. In all cases, the conduit will be extended a minimum of 2 feet beyond the edge of the roadway; however, if the entire right-of-way is being crossed, then the conduit limits shall be the same as required for pipeline encasement (See Figure 2). Buried cable crossings shall be marked in conformance with the requirements for pipeline crossing.
(3) Longitudinal Installations. The burial of cable along the edge of pavement may be by direct burial or trenching methods, maintaining a minimum offset of 3 feet where the width of the shoulder permits. A minimum depth of 24 inches below the lowest point of the typical road cross section is required unless the existence of rock prohibits. If rock or hard shale is encountered, and upon the approval of the County Engineer, the depth of direct burial may be reduced to 16 inches.
(4) Backfill Requirements. Backfilling of the direct burial furrow shall be done with suitable material free from rock or large lumps, which could create a void during compaction. Unless otherwise specified by the County Engineer, the spoil removed by the plow will be placed over the furrow and tracked down by the plow, this operation being repeated until the area of the furrow is thoroughly compacted. Where trenching methods are used, backfilling will be done in accordance with the requirements shown under pipelines.
(c) Installations on Roadway Structures.
(1) General. Attaching utility lines to a roadway structure can materially affect the safe operation of traffic, the structure, and the efficiency of maintenance. Where it is feasible and reasonable to locate utility lines elsewhere, attachments to roadway structures will not be permitted. However, where other locations prove to be extremely difficult and unreasonably expensive, consideration will be given for attaching the utility line to a roadway structure. The method should conform to logical engineering considerations for preserving the highway, its safe operation, maintenance and appearance. The following considerations apply:
(a) Since roadway structure designs and site conditions vary, the adoption of standardized methods to accommodate utility facilities on structures is not feasible. Each proposed attachment will be considered on its individual merits.
(b) Attachment of a pipeline carrying a combustible transmittant will not be permitted. Consideration may be given if applicant demonstrates that no feasible alternative exists and, further, provided that the elevation of the installation is above the 50-year floodplain elevation.
(c) Attachment of a utility will not be considered unless the structure in question is adequate to support the additional load and can accommodate the facility without compromising roadway features, including reasonable ease of bridge maintenance.
(d) Manholes will not be allowed in bridge decks.
(e) Installations that would inhibit access to any structural part for painting or repair will not be allowed.
(f) The installation must maintain minimum appropriate vertical clearances.
(g) Support rollers, saddles and hangers, should be padded or coated to muffle vibrations.
(h) Electric and communication lines shall be insulated, grounded, and carried in protective conduit from point of exit.
(2) Existing Bridges. An application for the placement of any installation on an existing bridge shall be accompanied by a complete description and plans. This information must include the weight per lineal foot of each line and details of the proposed method of attachment. The following conditions apply:
(a) As a general rule, welding to main steel members or anchoring to the concrete deck, parapet, or sidewalk will not be approved.
(b) All installations shall be placed below the elevation of the bridge floor.
(c) Trenching in the vicinity of piers or abutments shall be kept at a minimum of 2-1/2 times the depth of the trench to prevent under cutting or sloughage of material from under the footing into the trench. An application involving reduction of existing waterway area will not be approved.
(3) New Bridges. The placement of utility lines or other facilities on new bridges will be approved only in accordance with the following conditions:
(a) The applicant is responsible for obtaining any desired information regarding the Division’s proposed construction schedule.
(b) Applicant shall submit complete plans and specifications of their proposed installation, including the weight per lineal foot and detail drawings, prior to the Division’s completion of plans and specifications for the proposed bridge or drainage structure.
(c) The applicant shall bear all related engineering and construction costs incurred by the Division.
(Ord. 3673, § 2, passed 4-1-2003)