Section R930-7-9 - Utilities on Highway Structures(1) General. (a) The installation of utility facilities on highway structures can adversely impact the integrity and capacity of the structure, the safe operation of traffic, maintenance efficiency, complexity to perform needed structure rehabilitation or replacement of the structure, and the aesthetic appeal of the structure. Utility facilities shall not be installed on highway structures except in extreme cases. When installation of utilities at an alternate location exceeds the cost of attaching to the structure by four times, UDOT will consider such an installation as described in paragraph (2) of this section, R930-7-9.(b) Installing utility facilities within 50 feet of structures may impact the design, installation, operation, maintenance and safety of the structures, and the utility facilities. Utility companies shall address potential impacts when projects are proposed to ensure compatibility between utility facilities and UDOT structures and to assure all relevant utility industry codes and UDOT structural requirements are adequately addressed.(2) Installation on Highway Structures. (a) The utility company shall submit documentation requesting installation on a highway structure to UDOT through UDOT's permitting system for review and possible approval.(b) Attachment of a utility facility will only be considered if the structure is adequate to support the additional load and can accommodate the utility without compromising highway features. This adequacy must be verified by a load rating completed by the utility company in accordance with the current versions of the UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual and UDOT Bridge Management Manual including calculations.(c) If UDOT allows a utility installation on a highway structure, it shall be at a location and of a design approved by UDOT. In addition, the utility installation on a highway structure shall be subject to the following requirements: (i) Due to variations in highway structure designs, site-specific conditions, and other considerations, there is no standardized method by which utilities are installed on structures. Therefore, each proposed installation shall be considered on its individual merits and shall be individually designed for the specific structure.(ii) Where installations of pipelines carrying hazardous materials are allowed, the pipeline shall be cased. The casing shall be open or vented at each end to prevent possible build-up of pressure and to detect leakage. Where located near streams, casings shall be designed and installed so that leakage does not compromise the stream. If a deviation from this Rule, R930-7, is allowed for no casing, additional protective measures shall be used including higher standards for design, safety, construction and testing of the pipeline than would normally be required for cased construction.(iii) All pipeline installations carrying gas or liquid under pressure which by their nature may cause damage or injury if leaked, shall be installed with emergency shutoff valves. Such valves shall be placed within an effective distance on each side of the structure, as approved by UDOT, and shall be automatic if required by UDOT.(iv) Utility installations on highway structures shall not reduce vertical clearances above rivers, streams, roadway surfaces or rails. Installations should be designed to occupy a position beneath the deck in an interior bay of a girder or beam, or within a cell of a box girder bridge. Installations shall always be above the bottom of girders on a girder bridge or above the bottom of the bottom cord of a truss bridge. Utility installations outside of a bridge structure are unsightly and susceptible to damage and will only be approved by UDOT if there is no reasonable alternative.(v) All utility facilities installed on highway structures shall be constructed of durable materials, designed with a long -life expectancy, and must be installed in a manner that will minimize routine servicing and maintenance.(vi) Utility facility mountings shall be of sufficient strength to carry the weight of the utility and shall be of a design and type that will not rattle or loosen due to vibrations caused by vehicular traffic. Acceptable utility installation methods are hangers or roller assemblies suspended either from inserts from the underside of the bridge floor or from hanger rods clamped to the flange of a superstructure member. Bolting through the bridge floor is not permitted. Where there are transverse floor beams sufficiently removed from the underside of the deck, the utility placement shall allow adequate clearance to enable full inspection of both the deck and the utility line. UDOT may consider a proposal to support the utility line on top of the floor beams.
(vii) Telecommunication and electric power line installations shall be suitably insulated, grounded, and preferably carried in protective conduit or pipe from the point of exit from the ground to re-entry. Cable shall be carried to a manhole located beyond the back-wall of the structure. Access manholes are not allowed in a bridge deck.(viii) Utility installations shall provide for lineal expansion and contraction due to temperature variations in conjunction with bridge movement.(ix) All utility facility clearances from structure members must conform to all governing codes and shall not render any portion of the structure inaccessible for maintenance purposes.(x) The utility company shall be responsible for restoration or repair of any portion of a structure or highway damaged by utility facility installation, maintenance or use.(xi) The expansion of an existing utility facility carried by an existing structure may be permitted if the expansion does not adversely impact the performance and load carrying capacity of the structure and otherwise complies with this rule.(xii) All components of the utility attachment shall be protected from corrosion. Steel components shall be stainless, galvanized or painted in accordance with the current UDOT Standard Specifications for Highway and Bridge Construction.(3) Utility Company Responsibilities.(a) It is the responsibility of the utility company to obtain approval from UDOT for a highway structure installation. The utility company shall know UDOT's requirements prior to initiating the design for installation. A Utah registered Professional or Structural Engineer shall be responsible for the design if the installation is allowed. The utility company must prepare and submit complete design documents showing all details of the proposed highway structure installation. These documents shall include plans, calculations, updated load rating with a Virtis load rating model, the permit application, and any other necessary information. The utility company shall be responsible for protecting, maintaining or relocating its utility installation, including the arrangement of service interruptions, to accommodate future UDOT structure work.(b) All materials incorporated in the design must be certifiable for quality and strength and full specifications must be provided in support of the design.(c) Adequate written justification must support the need for installing the utility facility on the structure and demonstrate that there is no viable cost-effective alternative.(d) Design documents are required to meet requirements of the current versions of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual.Utah Admin. Code R930-7-9
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-16, effective 7/23/2019