Section 530.710  Methods of Attachment

a)         Prohibited Attachment

            No utility attachment to a bridge or traffic structure will be considered that proposes any of the following practices:

1)         Burying conduits or cables in bridge slabs or sidewalks.

2)         Drilling holes outside the middle third of the web of load carrying steel structural elements.

3)         Welding on structural steel elements of the structure.

4)         Drilling into prestressed or post-tensioned concrete supporting beams.

5)         Casting inserts into the bottom of prestressed concrete members.

6)         Attaching in a manner that will reduce critical clearances.

7)         Attaching outside the fascia of the bridge or structure.

8)         Gas pipelines over four inches in diameter or having internal pressure in excess of 75 psig.

9)         More than one gas pipeline for each structure.

10)         Pipelines carrying liquids or gases of an extraordinarily hazardous nature shall not be attached to highway structures.

b)         Acceptable Attachment Practices

            When and where the attachment of a utility to a highway bridge or structure is given favorable consideration, the following general practices shall be followed:

1)         The attachment shall be located below the floor of the structure between beams or girders and above the lowest structural member on existing structures. Conduits may be designed into a new structure for approved attachments.

2)         Supports and hangers shall be designed to clamp or bolt to steel structural elements.

3)         Supports and hangers shall be designed to clamp or bolt to prestressed or post-tensioned concrete structural elements without drilling.

4)         Utility facilities may be hung from inserts drilled on existing bridges or cast on new construction into non-critical concrete areas such as the floor slab.  Inserts on new construction will be furnished and installed by the Department and shown in detail on construction plans.

5)         The petitioner shall submit plans and specifications showing the size, weight per foot, and proposed method of attachment of the utility elements and stating the type of commodity to be transmitted, the proposed pressure or voltage, and giving the proposed location of cutoffs adjacent to the structure.

6)         A permit for bridge attachment will provide conduit or pipe capacity for any anticipated expansion.  In the interest of simplification, the assessment charge shall be calculated assuming that all conduits of the proposed system are filled.

7)         All work of attachment and maintenance of the utility facilities shall be accomplished by the utility.  In the case of a new bridge or traffic structure, the contract special provisions will require the State's contractor to cooperate with the utility company with the understanding that the utility company will furnish and install the necessary conduits or pipes and appurtenances.