Transcript Title of Presentation (Arial Bold Italic 40 Point, Navy)

TxDOT Utility Related Issues
SWEDE Conference
Larry Kohrmann, PE
May 2, 2006
TxDOT Utility Related Issues
2005 Changes to TxDOT Utility Accommodation Policy
 21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures
 21.41e – Markers
Roadway Lighting – NEC vs. NESC
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
TXU Electric
Delivery interacts
with 13 different
TxDOT District
Offices in its
service territory
TxDOT Districts
TXU Electric Delivery
Service Territory
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures
 May 29,1989, Revision to the Utility Accommodation Policy (21.49.3)
– As a general rule, overhead power, communication and cable
television line crossings, at bridges or grade separation structures
should be avoided, if possible. If rerouting the line completely around
the structure is not economically feasible, a minimum horizontal
distance of 150 feet or a minimum vertical clearance of 30 feet should
be provided to insure adequate safety for construction and
maintenance operations.
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.)
 February 24, 2005, Revision to Utility Accommodation Policy
– Overhead electric, communication, and cable television line crossings
at bridges or grade separation structures are prohibited. Overhead
lines shall not be located below any bridge structure. If rerouting the
line completely around the structure and approaches is not feasible, a
minimum horizontal distance of 150 feet from the bridge abutment joint
and a minimum vertical clearance of 30 feet above the point of
crossing the bridge pavement and retaining walls is required to ensure
adequate safety for construction and maintenance operations.
Should read “or”
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.)
 TxDOT’s interpretation of 21.41.d3
– any utility lines running parallel to and within 150 feet of the bridge
abutment joint must have 30 feet of clearance measured from the
elevation of the bridge deck.
– Utility lines perpendicular to the bridge abutment joint, but not over the
bridge, must only meet NESC horizontal clearance requirements of 7.5
feet to the bridge structure, provided the lines can be taken out of
service for roadway maintenance work.
 TXU Electric Delivery could not guarantee circuits could be taken out of
service on TxDOT’s schedule. As a result our standards require 30 feet of
clearance from the elevation of the bridge deck if a line is within 150 feet
parallel or perpendicular to the bridge abutment joint unless the line is at
the edge of the TxDOT right-of-way.
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
ROW
150 ft.
C
L
150 ft.
Bridge
Abutment
Joint
150 ft.
ROW
OH Line A
A.
OH Line B
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.)
OH Line C
OH Line D
Clearance Requirements
OH Line A – 22 ft. above roadway surface
OH Line B – 30 ft. above bridge deck elevation
OH Line C – 30 ft. above bridge deck elevation
OH Line D – 22 ft. above all roadway surfaces
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.)
Bridge
Abutment
Joint
ROW
B.
C
L
150 ft.
ROW
150 ft.
OH Line B
OH Line A
150 ft.
OH Line C
OH Line D
Clearance Requirements
OH Line A – 22 ft. above roadway surface
OH Line B – 30 ft. above bridge deck elevation
OH Line C – 30 ft. above bridge deck elevation
OH Line D – 22 ft. above all roadway surfaces
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.e Markers
 Utility poles must bear readily identifiable plaques or other approved
markers denoting ownership and use, at a distance of approximately one
pole per 1,320 feet, as equally spaced as practicable, and at every
crossing, in a format acceptable to the department. Each company
connecting to a pole shall appropriately identify its use of the pole. There
shall be a beginning and end marker for each user of the pole line.
 TXU Electric Delivery’s Response
– Lengthened the Field Location Number plates to accept a reflective
label with the company name, contact number and address.
– The label is to be installed on every fourth pole on TxDOT right-of-way
and at every new highway crossing.
 The marker requirement is not retroactive.
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TxDOT Utility Related Issues
Roadway Lighting on TxDOT Rights-of-Way
 Issue: TxDOT is investigating requiring all utility owned roadway lighting
on TxDOT rights-of-way to be wired per the National Electrical Code
instead of the National Electrical Safety Code.
 Background
– Municipality requested and TXU Electric Delivery installed and owned
decorative lighting was mistakenly shown on TxDOT construction
prints as TxDOT lights.
– A TxDOT electrical inspector inspected these TXU Electric Delivery
lights using NEC specifications. They were constructed to NESC
specifications and thus failed to meet NEC requirements.
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