The permittee must comply with the following requirements when installing underground facilities.
(A) Underground facilities must, where reasonably possible, be installed outside the paved or improved area, in places with the least potential for future conflict. If unable to install outside the paved or improved area, the installation must be as close to the edge of the roadway surface as possible to allow access to the facilities without unnecessarily disturbing paved areas of the roadway.
(B) Public right-of-way alignment and grade must be maintained.
(C) Fiber facilities must be buried in a proper conduit and at a depth of no less than three feet and no more than four feet; copper facilities below concrete or bituminous paved roadway surfaces must be buried at a depth of no less than three feet and no more than four feet, and all other copper facilities must be buried at a depth of no less than 30 inches and no more than four feet.
(D) Except for gas, all underground facilities that cross streets or hard surfaced driveways must be bored and installed in conduit when requested by the city.
(E) When required, the permittee must excavate an observation hole over the city utility to ensure that the city utility is not damaged.
(F) If the project work involves an open cut, the permittee must install visual tracers 18 inches over buried facilities. If other construction methods are used, alternative location methods may be used upon approval by the city.
(G) During plowing or trenching of facilities, a warning tape must be placed at a depth of 18 inches above copper cables with over 200 pairs and fiber facilities, and a locating wire or conductive shield must be installed above buried telecommunication facilities, except for di-electric cables.
(H) Restoration of areas disturbed by facilities must include returning the right-of-way to the same condition that existed before excavation in accordance with Minnesota Rules, which indicate maximum limits of restoration methods and area requirements that the city can impose. The city and right-of-way user may agree to a lesser requirement. The right-of-way user is responsible for all of its work done in the public right-of-way, whether by employees, agents or independent contractors. Restoration must include compaction of the materials placed in the excavation of the subgrade and aggregate base, plus pavement replacement, in kind. All work must be performed according to the city’s specifications and drawings. Installation of service laterals must be performed in accordance with Minnesota Rules and this section.
(I) All facilities must be located so as to not interfere with existing and potential future traffic signals and signs.
(J) Unless approved by the Director, all above ground appurtenances must be located no closer than ten feet from city hydrants, waterline valves, manholes, lift stations, and catch basins; not in front of any city or private sign, monument or amenity for facilities or parks; and no closer than two feet from sidewalks and trails.
(K) Underground facilities must not be installed within five feet of hydrants, waterline valves, lift stations, manholes or catch basins, unless approved by the Director.
(L) Underground facilities must not be installed between a hydrant and an auxiliary valve.
(M) The location and installation of telecommunications facilities must comply with the National Electric Safety Code, as incorporated by reference in Minnesota Statutes.
(N) Permittees employing trenchless excavation methods, including horizontal directional drilling, must follow all requirements set forth in Minnesota Statutes and Rules, and must use potholing or open cutting in order to determine the precise location of marked underground utilities before excavating. In addition, permittees employing trenchless excavation methods must not install facilities at a depth greater than four feet below grade, unless specifically approved by the Director.
(Ord. 17-13, passed 11-27-2017)