N.M. Admin. Code § 17.4.2.13

Current through Register Vol. 36, No. 1, January 14, 2025

Section 17.4.2.13 - PHYSICAL LOCATION OF FACILITIES

The following requirements apply to the physical location of utility facilities on non access-controlled highways; additional requirements for access-controlled highway facilities are set-out in Paragraph 17 [now 17.4.2.17 NMAC], "The Accommodation of Utility Facilities Within Freeway or Interstate Right-of-Way."

A. Aerial facilities, parallel: The proposed installation of aerial utility facilities parallel to a state highway shall be located no more than .3048 m (1 foot) within the right-of-way line on a uniform alignment, wherever practical. Down guys and anchors shall not project into the cut or fill slopes. Minor variations will be considered on an individual basis upon substantiation submitted by the utility.

B. Aerial facilities crossing: Proposed installations of aerial facilities crossing a highway shall cross the highway at an angle near ninety (900) degrees whenever practical. Poles, anchors and other appurtenances shall be located at, near, or outside the highway rights-of-way. No crossing components shall obtrude upon the roadway prism unless approved by the Department, and all vertical clearances shall conform to the National Electric Safety Code as a minimum, but shall not be less than twenty feet (20'). Minor variations will be considered on an individual basis, or upon substantiation submitted by the utility.

C. Buried facilities, parallel: The proposed installation of buried utility facilities parallel to a highway shall be located no more than 1.52 m (5 feet) within the right-of-way line, whenever practical. Surface components of buried facilities, i.e., valves, manholes, vents, etc., shall be located as close as possible to the right-of-way line. The high point of structural elements such as manholes, vaults and anchor blocks shall be at or below the grade of the right-of-way surface. Minor variations will be considered on an individual basis, on substantiation submitted by the utility. All buried facilities shall be installed at a minimum depth of .91 m (36 inches) from natural ground elevation to the top of the buried facility. All trenches and ditches will be backfilled and compacted to the satisfaction of the Engineer. All excavations outside the roadway foreslopes shall be compacted to a density equal to the surrounding undisturbed soil. All excavations within the toes of the foreslopes shall be compacted to 95% maximum dry density (modified Proctor method "C" T-99 or equivalent) as determined by an approved standard compaction test. Parallel trenches shall be backfilled and compacted during the some work period in which they are excavated. Excavations on or near the traveled way shall not remain open overnight.

D. Buried facilities, crossing: The proposed installation of buried utility facilitiescrossing a highway shall cross the highway at an angle of ninety (900 ) degrees, wherever practical. All Surface components or proposed buried facility crossings shall be located within 1.52 m (5 feet) of the right-of-way line. All buried facility crossings shall be installed at a minimum depth of .91 m (36 inches) or more from the lowest point of the right-of-way surface to the top of the facility. Minor variations will be considered on an individual basis, on substantiation submitted by the utility.

(1) Unless otherwise permitted, installation of buried facilities crossing a state highway shall be performed by boring or jacking under the roadway. Installations by open cut of the pavement structure may be permitted only where boring or jacking is not feasible due to soil conditions, or where the pavement structure is aged, deteriorated or in generally poor condition. Open cut installations will be considered on an individual basis, on substantiation submitted by the utility.

(2) In cases where the utility owner is allowed an open cut installation, the utility shall be responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the pavement structure, until such time that the Section of roadway is improved by resurfacing, as approved by the Department.

(3) All proposed buried carrier pipes crossing a state highway shall be constructed of steel, cast iron, or reinforced concrete and/or shall be cased (or encased), and shall be of such materials and design as may be approved by the Engineer. Each question of carrier pipe material and/or casement pipe requirements shall be considered on an individual basis, on design data submitted by the utility. As a minimum, the casement shall extend at least from just outside the toe of foreslope to just outside the toe of the opposite foreslope.

(4) The utility shall be responsible for the backfill, compaction and surface restoration of utility trenches outside the roadway prism, and for the restoration and protection of the pavement structure if open cut trenching across the existing roadway is approved by the Engineer, District Engineer or his/her representative. The utility is also responsible for the safety and progress of the traveling public. All backfill, compaction, materials, and pavement structure restoration shall be performed to the satisfaction of Engineer. Backfill in trenches excavated outside the roadway prism shall be compacted to a density equal to the surrounding undisturbed soil. All excavations within the roadway prism shall be compacted to 95% of maximum dry density (Modified Proctor, method "C", T-99 or equivalent) as determined by a standard compaction test. Any portion of the pavement structure which is broken, disturbed, cut or otherwise damaged in any way, shall be removed and replaced to a design equal to or better than the condition that existed prior to the damage to the pavement structure, as determined by the Department.

(5) Where the party making the installation either is not equipped or fails to properly repair any damage to the pavement structure, the Department will repair the damage and shall bill the utility the actual cost of restorations, plus administrative costs incurred.

(6) All buried utility facilities crossing Department maintained highways shall be identified by the installation of weather proof signs that provide the type of facility, the facility owner and a phone number where maintenance personnel may be contacted. The signs shall be set over the facility at both right-of-way lines.

N.M. Admin. Code § 17.4.2.13

3/10/71, 11/15/96; Recompiled 12/31/01