Section 360. Pipelines

The permittee shall maintain minimum cover for any underground facility. Where pavement exists, the permittee shall bore, push, or jack and maintain a minimum cover of 36 inches.

The vertical and horizontal clearance between a pipeline and a structure or other highway facility shall be sufficient to permit maintenance of the pipeline and facility. Longitudinal pipeline installations shall be kept out of the ditch line where practical. When locating the utilities outside of the pavement area is not practical, such as in high density developments incorporating the principles of new urbanism as described in § 15.2-2223.1 of the Code of Virginia, utilities may be placed under the pavement. When utilities are proposed to be placed within the ditch line or under highway pavement, the permit applicant shall provide the justification to the district administrator's designee.

All water, gas, sewer, electrical, communications and any pressurized pipelines carrying hazardous material shall conform to all applicable industry codes, including materials, design and construction requirements. No asbestos cement conduit or pipe shall be used for any installation. The permittee may be required to certify in writing that this restriction has been observed, if requested by VDOT.

Pipelines four inches in diameter or larger and no longer in use shall be cleaned of debris and plugged at open ends with Class A3 concrete. The district administrator's designee may also require such pipes to be filled prior to being plugged.

Historical Notes

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

Statutory Authority

§ 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.