Section 37-1-7501-06001-404 - Utilities Crossing Freeways: New utility installations and adjustments or relocation of existing utilities may be permitted to cross a freeway. To the extent feasible and practicable they should cross on a line generally perpendicular to the freeway alignment and preferably under the freeway.
1. Utilities Along Roads or Streets Crossing Freeways a. Where a utility follows a crossroad or street which is carried over or under a freeway, provisions should be made for the utility to cross the freeway on the location of the crossroad or street in such manner that the utility can be constructed and/or serviced without access from the freeway roadway or ramps. Generally the utilities are to be located within the right-of-way of the crossroad or street, existing or relocated, and may cross over or under the freeway, provided installation and servicing thereof can be accomplished without access from the freeway roadways or ramps. Utilities will not be permitted to be attached to bridges, except for water or communication lines referenced in Rule 37.1.7501.04015, Parallel Utility Lines and Overhead Crossing Encroachment Permits, Section 600. Where distinct advantage and appreciable cost saving are effected by locating the utilities outside the right-of-way of the crossroads or street they may be so located, in which case they shall be located and treated in the same manner as utility lines crossing the freeway at points removed from grade separation structures as in the sections that follow. 2. Overhead Utility Crossings a. Overhead utility lines crossing a freeway at points removed from grade separation structures, or those crossing near a grade separation but not within the right-of-way of a crossroad or street, in general, should be adjusted so that supporting structures are located outside the outer edges of freeway roadway side slopes and preferably outside the control of access lines. In any case supporting poles shall not be placed within the clear zone as determined using procedures in the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, Current Edition. Supporting poles may be placed in medians of sufficient width to provide the above referenced clear zone from the edges of both traveled ways. If additional lanes are planned, the clear zone shall be determined from the ultimate edges of the traveled way. Where right-of-way lines and control of access lines are not one and the same, as where frontage roads are provided, supporting poles may be located in the area between them with appropriate shielding. In extraordinary cases where such spanning of the roadways is not feasible, consideration may be given to conversion to underground facilities to cross the freeway. b. At interchange areas, in general, support for overhead utilities should be permitted only where all of the following conditions are met: (i) the clear zone with respect to the freeway through-traffic lanes and the clear zone from the edge of ramp is provided as designated in the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, Current Edition, (ii) essential sight distance is not impaired, and (iii) the conditions of Section 6 of this policy, "Access for Servicing Utilities," are satisfied. The vertical clearance to overhead utility lines crossing freeways shall be determined by the Department but in no case shall be less than the clearance required by the National Electrical Safety Code. c. Underground Utility Crossings Utilities crossing freeways underground shall be of durable materials and so installed as to virtually preclude any necessity for disturbing the roadways to perform maintenance or expansion operations. The design and types of materials shall conform to appropriate governmental codes and specifications. Utility access holes and other points of access to underground utilities may be permitted within the right-of-way of a freeway only when they are located beyond the shoulders of the freeway or ramps as planned for later widening. This access may be permitted provided the conditions of Section 6 are satisfied.
d. Provisions for Expansion of Utilities When existing utilities are relocated or adjusted in conjunction with construction of a freeway, provision may be made for known and planned expansion of the utility facilities, particularly those underground. They should be planned to avoid interference with traffic at some future date when additional or new overhead or underground lines are installed.
37 Miss. Code. R. § 1-7501-06001-404