N.J. Admin. Code § 16:25-8.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 16:25-8.6 - Casing requirements

(a) Encasement is required for all utility facility crossings directly under State highways unless a waiver is approved by the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C. 16:25-13.2.

(b) Casings shall also be used for, but not limited to, the following conditions:

1. As an expediency for the insertion, removal, replacement, or maintenance of carrier pipe crossings of highways and at other locations where it is necessary to avoid open trenched construction;

2. When protection for carrier pipes from external loads or shock, either during or after construction of the highway is required;

3. When a means of conveying leaking fluids or gases away from the area directly beneath the traveled way to a point of venting at or near the right-of-way line or to a point of drainage in the highway ditch or a natural drainage way is required;

4. When protection of coated carrier pipes is required;

5. When less than minimum bury depth is unavoidable;

6. Near footings of bridges or other highway structures or across unstable or subsiding ground;

7. Near other locations where there may be a hazard; and

8. On structures that cross environmentally sensitive streams, riparian areas, wetlands, protected species habitat or other protected environmental features.

(c) Casings shall be designed in accordance with the following requirements:

1. To support the load of the highway and superimposed loads thereon, and at a minimum, the casing shall equal the structural requirements for highway drainage facilities;

2. Be composed of material of satisfactory durability for the conditions to which they may be exposed;

3. Extend a suitable distance beyond the slope or ditch lines. Where appropriate, extend the casing to the access control lines, to the outside of frontage roads, to outside the outer curbs on curbed highways or to an indicated line that allows for future widening of the highway without the need for any utility adjustment;

4. The casing ends sealed with a flexible material to prevent flowing water and debris from entering the annular space between the casing and the carrier. All necessary appurtenances shall be included; and

5. If required by engineering practice or industry standards, provided with cathodic protection anti-corrosion systems. The carrier and casing pipes shall be effectively insulated from each other, cathodically protected as a unit, or provided with alternative protection.

(d) The carrier pipe for approved uncased pipeline installations shall conform to the most current applicable material and design requirements of utility industry and governmental codes and specifications and be designed to support the load of the highway plus the superimposed loads thereon when the pipe is operated under all ranges of pressure from maximum internal to zero pressure.

(e) Required additional mechanical protection to an approved uncased pipeline crossing a highway is as follows:

1. Uncased carrier pipelines shall require a higher factor of safety in the location, design, construction, and testing, including such features as increased depth of cover, thicker wall pipe, radiograph testing of welds, hydrostatic testing, coating and wrapping, and cathodic protection.

2. Uncased crossings of welded steel pipelines that carry flammable, corrosive, expansive, energized, or unstable materials may be permitted, provided additional protective measures are taken.

(f) For Department projects, if it has been determined that both cased and uncased utility crossing alternatives are technically acceptable, the most economical alternative shall be considered. If the utility elects to advance a betterment or a more costly alternative, the utility is responsible for the cost differential.

N.J. Admin. Code § 16:25-8.6

Adopted by 48 N.J.R. 209(a), effective 2/1/2016