Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-115.5 - Scenic enhancement
(1)
Introduction. The type
and size of a utility facility and the manner in which it is installed can
materially alter the scenic quality, appearance and view of roads and adjacent
areas. Such areas may include but are not limited to scenic strips, scenic
overlooks, rest areas, recreation areas, public parks and historic sites,
aesthetically enhanced corridors, and the rights-of-way of primary roads that
pass through or are adjacent to these areas.
(2)
Underground
installations. The department may permit a new underground
installation if it does not require extensive removal or alteration of trees or
other natural features visible to the road user and if it does not impair the
visual quality of the area being traversed.
(3)
Aboveground
installations. The department may permit a new aboveground
installation only if the following three conditions are met:
a. Other locations for an aboveground
installation are unusually difficult, are unreasonably costly, or are less
desirable from the standpoint of visual quality.
b. Underground installation is not
technically feasible or is unreasonably costly.
c. The location, design and materials to be
used for the proposed aboveground installation will give adequate attention to
the visual qualities of the area being traversed.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
(1) Plans. Design plans for a utility facility shall be prepared by a person knowledgeable in highway design and in work zone traffic control and shall include the measures to be taken to preserve the safe and free flow of traffic, structural integrity of the roadway and highway structures, ease of highway maintenance , appearance of the highway and integrity of the utility facility .
(2) Materials. All utility facilities shall consist of durable materials designed for long service life expectancy and be relatively free from routine servicing and maintenance .
(3) Number of crossings. The number of utility facilities crossing the primary highway right-of-way shall be kept to a minimum. The department may require distribution facilities to be installed on each side of the highway to minimize the number of crossings and service connections. In individual cases, the department may require several facilities to cross in a single conduit or structure. Crossings should be as near to perpendicular to the highway alignment as practical.
(4) Aboveground facilities. The design of aboveground utility facilities shall be compatible with the visual quality of the specific highway section being traversed. See rule 761-115.6 (306A).
(5) Clear zone requirements and aboveground obstructions. Highway roadsides shall be as free from physical obstructions above the ground as practical. The department shall determine the clear zone distance.
a. The clear zone distance on rural-type roadways is based on present day traffic and the existing foreslope adjacent to and preceding the utility facility .
b. Unless otherwise specified, the clear zone shall be measured from the edge of the traveled way .
c. In rural areas with rural-type roadways, a permanent, aboveground obstruction is restricted to an area beyond the clear zone or the highway foreslope , whichever area locates the obstruction a greater distance from the edge of the traveled way .
d. If sufficient right-of-way is not available to accommodate the clear zone distance, the department may require the utility facility to have a breakaway design, require regrading of the right-of-way , require the utility facility to be located underground, or authorize the facility to be placed near the right-of-way line.