Section 530.700  General

a)         It shall be the general policy of the Department to grant approval for accommodation of utilities on bridges only when engineering and economic study substantiates that all other means of accommodating the utility are not practical.  Other means shall include, but not be limited to, underground, under stream, independent poles, cable supports and tower supports, all of which are completely separated from the bridge.  The utility company shall include supporting data in their request that indicates the impracticality of alternate routing.

b)         This Section covers the requirements, limitations, procedures, and assessment of charges for the permitted attachment of utility facilities to bridges or traffic structures on or over State highways that are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation.

c)         The provisions of this Section are applicable to both existing and proposed bridges for the attachment of a new utility, the expanding of an existing utility attachment, or the voiding of an attachment permit.

d)         Utility facilities attached to highway structures constitute varying degrees of hazards to the highway user and to the structure itself.  Utility facilities transmitting commodities that are volatile, flammable, corrosive, or energized, especially those under significant pressure or potential, present the higher degrees of risk and such installations will normally not be permitted.  Approval or disapproval of an application for utility attachment to a highway structure will be based on the following considerations:

1)         The type, volume, pressure or voltage of the commodity to be transmitted and an evaluation of the resulting risk to the highway user.

2)         The type, length, value, and relative importance of the highway structure in the transportation system.

3)         The alternative routings available to the utility and their comparative practicality.

4)         The proposed method of attachment.

5)         The degree of interference with bridge maintenance and painting.

6)         The effect on the visual quality of the structure.

7)         The public benefit expected from the utility service as compared to the risk involved.

e)         When the Department requires the removal or adjustment of any existing utility attachment due to the renovation or removal of an existing bridge, the existing permit will be automatically voided, and if a new permit is applied for and approved, the utility owner will be assessed in accordance with this Part.

f)         The issuance of a Bridge Attachment Permit will acknowledge receipt of the assessment charge and will give the necessary permission to attach, operate, and maintain the facility.  In the case of a new structure, the permit will serve as an agreement during the period of construction and as a permit to attach, operate, and maintain the facility upon completion of the construction.

g)         The utility owner shall provide approved cut-off facilities at each end of the highway structure in order that service through the facilities attached to the structure can be cut off in case of accident or other occurrence requiring such interruption.