Section 300. General provisions governing utilities

Part VI. Utilities

Utility installations on all highway rights-of-way shall comply with the following provisions:

1. Overhead or underground utilities may be installed across any right-of-way by a utility under a permit. Requests for accommodations within the right-of-way shall be submitted to and reviewed by the district administrator's designee. These regulations govern all rights-of-way and apply to public and private utilities. These regulations also govern the location, design, methods and financial responsibility for installing, adjusting, accommodating and maintaining utilities.

2. Utility lines shall be located to minimize the need for later adjustments to accommodate future highway improvements and to allow servicing of the lines with minimum interference to highway traffic. Utility lines residing within the highway right-of-way shall conform to the type of highway and specific conditions for the highway section involved. Utility installations within the highway right-of-way and attachments to highway structures shall be of durable materials, designed for long service life and relatively free from the need for routine servicing and maintenance. All temporary attachments to highway structures must be approved by VDOT.

3. The permittee assumes full responsibility for any and all damages caused by improperly installed facilities within the right-of-way under permit (single use or districtwide); therefore, the permittee must make every effort to install its facilities properly so as to preclude the possibility of damage.

4. The permittee is responsible for the continuing maintenance of its facilities placed within the right-of-way under permit.

5. Any conflicts with existing utility facilities shall be resolved between the permittee and the existing utility owner.

6. Utilities shall not be attached to a bridge or other structure unless the utility owner can demonstrate that the installation and maintenance methods will not interfere with VDOT's ability to maintain the bridge or other structure, will not impact the durability and operational characteristics of the bridge or other structure, and except for installation, will not require access from a limited access highway. The attachment method must be approved by VDOT (see 24VAC30-151-430).

7. The encasement of underground utility crossings shall be in accordance with 24VAC30-151-370.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 26, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2010.

Statutory Authority

§ 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.