Utah Admin. Code R930-7-9 - Utilities on Highway Structures
(1)
General.
(a) The installation of utility
facilities on highway structures can adversely impact the integrity and
capacity of the structure, the safe operation of traffic, maintenance
efficiency, complexity to perform needed structure rehabilitation or
replacement of the structure, and the aesthetic appeal of the structure.
Utility facilities may not be installed on highway structures except in extreme
cases. When installation of utilities at an alternate location exceeds the cost
of attaching to the structure by four times, UDOT will consider such an
installation as described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(b) Installing utility facilities within 50
feet of structures may impact the design, installation, operation, maintenance
and safety of the structures, and the utility facilities. Utility companies
shall address potential impacts when projects are proposed to ensure
compatibility between utility facilities and UDOT structures and to assure all
relevant utility industry codes and UDOT structural requirements are adequately
addressed.
(2)
Installation on Highway Structures.
(a) The
utility company shall submit documentation requesting installation on a highway
structure to UDOT through UDOT's permitting system for review and possible
approval.
(b) Attachment of a
utility facility will only be considered if the structure is adequate to
support the additional load and can accommodate the utility without
compromising highway features. This adequacy must be verified by a load rating
completed by the utility company in accordance with the current versions of the
UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual and UDOT Bridge Management Manual
including calculations.
(c) If UDOT
allows a utility installation on a highway structure, it shall be at a location
and of a design approved by UDOT. In addition, the utility installation on a
highway structure shall be subject to the following requirements:
(i) Due to variations in highway structure
designs, site-specific conditions, and other considerations, there is no
standardized method by which utilities are installed on structures. Therefore,
each proposed installation shall be considered on its individual merits and
shall be individually designed for the specific structure.
(ii) Where installations of pipelines
carrying hazardous materials are allowed, the pipeline shall be cased. The
casing shall be open or vented at each end to prevent possible build-up of
pressure and to detect leakage. Where located near streams, casings shall be
designed and installed so that leakage does not compromise the stream. If a
deviation from this Rule, R930-7, is allowed for no casing, additional
protective measures shall be used including higher standards for design,
safety, construction and testing of the pipeline than would normally be
required for cased construction.
(iii) All pipeline installations carrying gas
or liquid under pressure which by their nature may cause damage or injury if
leaked, shall be installed with emergency shutoff valves. Such valves shall be
placed within an effective distance on each side of the structure, as approved
by UDOT, and shall be automatic if required by UDOT.
(iv) Utility installations on highway
structures may not reduce vertical clearances above rivers, streams, roadway
surfaces or rails. Installations should be designed to occupy a position
beneath the deck in an interior bay of a girder or beam, or within a cell of a
box girder bridge. Installations shall always be above the bottom of girders on
a girder bridge or above the bottom of the bottom cord of a truss bridge.
Utility installations outside of a bridge structure are unsightly and
susceptible to damage and will only be approved by UDOT if there is no
reasonable alternative.
(v) All
utility facilities installed on highway structures shall be constructed of
durable materials, designed with a long-life expectancy, and must be installed
in a manner that will minimize routine servicing and maintenance.
(vi) Utility facility mountings shall be of
sufficient strength to carry the weight of the utility and shall be of a design
and type that will not rattle or loosen due to vibrations caused by vehicular
traffic. Acceptable utility installation methods are hangers or roller
assemblies suspended either from inserts from the underside of the bridge floor
or from hanger rods clamped to the flange of a superstructure member. Bolting
through the bridge floor is not permitted. Where there are transverse floor
beams sufficiently removed from the underside of the deck, the utility
placement shall allow adequate clearance to enable full inspection of both the
deck and the utility line. UDOT may consider a proposal to support the utility
line on top of the floor beams.
(vii) Telecommunication and electric power
line installations shall be suitably insulated, grounded, and preferably
carried in protective conduit or pipe from the point of exit from the ground to
re-entry. Cable shall be carried to a manhole located beyond the back-wall of
the structure. Access manholes are not allowed in a bridge deck.
(viii) Utility installations shall provide
for lineal expansion and contraction due to temperature variations in
conjunction with bridge movement.
(ix) All utility facility clearances from
structure members must conform to all governing codes and may not render any
portion of the structure inaccessible for maintenance purposes.
(x) The utility company shall be responsible
for the restoration or repair of any portion of a structure or highway damaged
by utility facility installation, maintenance, or use.
(xi) The expansion of an existing utility
facility carried by an existing structure may be permitted if the expansion
does not adversely impact the performance and load -carrying capacity of the
structure and otherwise complies with this rule.
(xii) All components of the utility
attachment shall be protected from corrosion. Steel components shall be
stainless, galvanized or painted in accordance with the current UDOT Standard
Specifications for Highway and Bridge Construction.
(3) Utility Company
Responsibilities.
(a) It is the responsibility
of the utility company to obtain approval from UDOT for a highway structure
installation. The utility company shall know UDOT's requirements before
initiating the design for installation. A Utah registered Professional or
Structural Engineer shall be responsible for the design if the installation is
allowed. The utility company must prepare and submit complete design documents
showing all details of the proposed highway structure installation. These
documents shall include plans, calculations, updated load rating with a Virtis
load rating model, the permit application, and any other necessary information.
The utility company shall be responsible for protecting, maintaining or
relocating its utility installation, including the arrangement of service
interruptions, to accommodate future UDOT structure work.
(b) All materials incorporated in the design
must be certifiable for quality and strength and full specifications must be
provided in support of the design.
(c) Adequate written justification must
support the need for installing the utility facility on the structure and
demonstrate that there is no viable cost-effective alternative.
(d) Design documents are required to meet the
requirements of the current versions of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications and UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual.
Notes
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