N.J. Admin. Code § 16:25-9.4

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

Section 16:25-9.4 - Trenched construction and backfill

(a) Trenched construction, bedding, and backfill shall conform to the Department's standard specifications and construction details set forth in N.J.A.C. 16:25-1.3 and provisions of N.J.A.C. 16:25-7.3.

(b) Except for emergency repairs, no utility cuts shall be permitted in newly constructed pavement or overlay for five years without the consent of the Commissioner as documented in a waiver pursuant to N.J.A.C. 16:41-8. If utility cuts are required for emergency repairs, the utility company shall mill and resurface the section of the roadway to the standards established by the Department.

(c) The following requirements apply to utility opening for longitudinal installation of an underground fiber optic duct bank:

1. The utility shall bundle ducts to form one compact facility. The Department may allow a fiber optic utility duct bank to consist of more than four inner ducts, in the case of a multi-duct system, or more than four individual ducts, in the case of a single-duct system;

2. The duct bank shall not occupy over 12 inches in width or 24 inches in depth;

3. The minimum depth of cover of the duct bank shall be 54 inches. If there is a conflict with an intersecting utility facility at this depth, the utility shall install the fiber optic duct bank under the other utility. If the other utility extends deeper than 24 inches below the fiber optic duct bank, the fiber optic duct bank may be located above the other utility and shall be protected with concrete encasement as approved by the Department, but at no location will the encasement be within 24 inches of the surface of the ground;

4. There shall be a protective layer over the fiber of the duct bank which covers:

i. To within 30 inches of the surface with Permeable Flowable Fill (Controlled Low Strength Material). Orange pigmentation is encouraged, but not required; or

ii. With a cap of poured or pre-cast concrete that is four inches thick and 24 inches wide directly above the fiber optic duct bank; and

5. The utility shall install a continuous plastic ribbon marking tape on the Permeable Flowable Fill directly above the fiber optic duct bank or on the trench backfill material directly above the fiber optic duct bank.

N.J. Admin. Code § 16:25-9.4

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