Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-115.5

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

Rule 761-115.5 - General design provisions

(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.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-115.5