Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-115.12

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, October 2, 2024

Rule 761-115.12 - Utility facility attachments to bridges

(1)Electrical power and communication cable attachments.

a. An electrical power or communication cable may be attached to an existing primary highway bridge if the department determines that the attachment is in the best interests of the public. The department may accommodate an electrical power or communication cable attachment in its design for a new bridge if the department determines that the accommodation is in the best interests of the public.

b. The permit application shall include a detailed sketch showing the method of attachment and weights of attachment. A separate permit is required for each bridge.

c. All attachments shall be placed in conduits, pipes or trays; beneath the bridge's floor; and above low steel or masonry of the bridge. Department-approved clamps shall be used for any attachment to structural steel.

d. Expansion devices are required. Cables in cells or casings shall be grounded wherever necessary. Carrier pipe shall be suitably insulated from electrical power line attachments.

e. All costs attributable to the installation of an attachment to a bridge shall be paid by the utility owner unless the attachment is installed pursuant to a utility agreement.

f. Welding or drilling holes in structural steel primary members is prohibited.

g. Utility facilities may be attached to noncritical concrete areas.

h. Holes should not be cut in wing walls, abutments or piers.

(2)Pipeline attachments.

a. Pipelines may be attached to primary highway bridges when installation below ground is not feasible, the design of the bridge can accommodate the attachment, and space is available.

b. The permit application shall include a detailed sketch showing the method of attachment and weights of attachment. A separate permit is required for each bridge.

c. Pipes shall be placed beneath the bridge's floor, inside the outer girders or beams (or in cells specifically designed for the installation), and above low steel or masonry of the bridge.

d. Pipes shall be designed to withstand expected expansion or contraction forces. If necessary, expansion devices such as expansion joints, offsets or loops shall be used.

e. Pipelines in cells or casings shall be vented and grounded whenever necessary.

f. Pipelines that have an operating pressure of more than 75 pounds per square inch or that are larger than two inches in diameter shall have shutoffs not more than 300 feet from each end of the bridge.

g. The department shall consider casing requirements on an individual basis. In some instances, thicker-walled or extra-strength pipe may be considered in lieu of encasement. Encasement is required for plastic pipe attachments to bridges.

h. All costs attributable to the installation of an attachment to a bridge shall be paid by the utility owner unless the attachment is installed pursuant to a utility agreement.

i. Welding or drilling holes in or attaching to structural steel primary members is prohibited.

j. Utility facilities may be attached to noncritical concrete areas.

k. Holes should not be cut in wing walls, abutments or piers.

l. The utility owner shall provide an indemnity bond to be executed by either itself or by a responsible bonding company, at the department's option.

(1) The indemnifier under the bond shall, in the event of damage resulting from any cause whatsoever arising out of or from permission to attach a pipeline, indemnify the department against all loss or damage to it or any third party therefrom, including but not limited to the expense of repairing or replacing the bridge and the cost of alternate highway facilities for traffic during the period when the bridge is being repaired or replaced.

(2) The indemnity bond shall be kept in force for as long as the pipeline is attached to the bridge. The department may periodically review the amount of the bond and require adjustments in the bond amount.

(3)Attachment fee.

a. The utility owner shall pay to the department an attachment fee for attaching its utility facility to a primary highway bridge. The attachment fee is $100 per bridge plus $0.55 times the weight of the attachment in pounds per foot times the length of bridge in feet. The fee shall increase 3 percent per year after the base year of 2004.

b. The attachment fee is due before any construction work commences within the right-of-way.

c. Utility facilities belonging to or exclusively serving a city may, if the department considers it desirable, be attached to a primary highway bridge without assessment of an attachment fee.

(4)Engineering fee. When a primary highway bridge is in the planning stages and the department designs the bridge to accommodate a requested attachment, the department shall assess to the utility owner an engineering fee. The engineering fee shall reimburse the department for the department's increased costs of design, construction and inspection due to the attachment. The department shall bill the fee to the utility owner when the department's work is complete.

(5)Utility attachments to freeway border bridges. The department may permit a utility facility to be attached to an existing or planned freeway border bridge if the following conditions are met:

a. The appropriate state agency of the adjoining state approves the attachment.

b. Except for communication cable, the facility exits the freeway right-of-way as soon as physically practical after crossing the state line into Iowa.

c. The attachment otherwise complies with this chapter, specifically including this rule on attachments and rule 761-115.16 (306A) on longitudinal freeway occupancy.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-115.12