N.J. Admin. Code § 16:25-9.1

Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 1, January 6, 2025

Section 16:25-9.1 - Installation standards

(a) The installation or replacement of underground electric power and communication lines along or crossing existing highways shall be in accordance with Department plans and specifications or Department-issued permits. The safety of traffic and preservation of the earth structure supporting the pavement may require restriction of construction methods. Such conditions of installation, if any, will be specified by the Department.

(b) Pedestals or other above ground utility appurtenances installed as part of a buried cable facility shall be located as close to the right-of-way line as possible, and behind any existing guide rail.

(c) Consideration shall be given to placing additional manholes/handholes, spare conduit, or duct to accommodate known or planned expansion of underground lines, particularly at highway crossings and areas of high probability for future highway expansion, especially at intersections and structure locations.

(d) Fiber optic duct bank installations of one half-mile or longer shall require the utility to dedicate to the Department the use of one inner duct of a multi-duct system or one duct (two inch nominal size with associated separate manholes/handholes) of a single-duct system for State use. The utility shall construct the dedicated duct and associated manholes/handholes in accordance with the Department standards and maintain them in good repair. The State facility within assigned duct and manholes/handholes shall be the responsibility of the State. The utility shall not begin construction until the Department receives formal documentation indicating the utility's commitment to dedicate the duct use.

(e) The utility shall design and construct fiber optic duct banks to avoid future relocations within the limits of all projects listed in the Department's current fiscal year Capital Program and the 10-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The Department may waive this requirement if the utility agrees to absorb all relocation or accommodation costs resulting from the construction of any project listed in the Capital Program and 10-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The utility shall not undertake construction within the limits of such a project until the utility and the Department execute a written agreement regarding the payment of future relocation costs.

N.J. Admin. Code § 16:25-9.1

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