Section 530.460  Above-Ground Facilities – Light Poles and Lighting Power Lines

a)         General

1)         This Section applies to poles used solely for lighting.  Poles used for both lighting and transmission/distribution shall meet the requirements of Section 530.450.

2)         Ground mounted appurtenances shall be provided with a vegetation-free area extending one foot beyond the appurtenance in all directions.  The vegetation-free area may be provided by an extension of the mounting pad, or by heavy duty plastic or similar material.  With the approval of the District Engineer, shrubbery surrounding the appurtenance may be used in place of vegetation-free area.  The housing for ground mounted appurtenances shall be painted an inconspicuous color.

3)         Guy Wires and Brace Posts

A)        Guys and braces will not be allowed in the clear zone on the right-of-way.

B)        When guy wires are allowed, guy wires shall be equipped with guy guards for maximum visibility.

4)         Joint Use of Poles

A)        Poles supporting both lights and lighting power lines shall meet the criteria for light poles except joint use of poles will not be permitted in the clear zone.

B)        Joint use of poles will be required where practical.

b)         Light Poles

1)         Light poles shall be of single pole construction located as near as practicable to the right-of-way line and, where possible, in protected areas.

A)        In urban areas where pavement is curbed, light poles are to be as remote as practicable from the curb with a minimum distance of 1.5 feet behind the face of the curb.

B)        In urban areas, where pavement is uncurbed, light poles shall be as remote from the pavement as practicable with a minimum distance of four feet outside the outer shoulder line of the roadway.

2)         No light poles will be permitted in the ditch line of any State highway.

3)         A light pole located in the clear zone will be breakaway unless:

A)        It cannot be struck by errant vehicles because it is behind or on a barrier, or is protected by crash cushions which are necessary for other roadway design reasons; or

B)        The amount of pedestrian traffic on nearby pedestrian facilities is such that a breakaway support would present a greater potential hazard to the pedestrian traffic than a non-breakaway support would present to the vehicular traffic.  Examples of such locations include sports stadiums and associated parking areas, tourist attractions, school zones, central business districts, and local residential neighborhoods where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less.

4)         Light poles located outside the clear zone of roadways, where no pedestrian facilities exist, shall be breakaway where there is a possibility of being struck by errant vehicles.

c)         Lighting Power Lines

            Power lines serving only to provide power to lights must meet the same criteria as power and communication lines.  (See Section 530.450)