1. TxDOT Utility Related Issues
SWEDE Conference
Larry Kohrmann, PE
May 2, 2006

2. 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
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

3. 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
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

4. TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures
May 29,1989, Revision to the Utility Accommodation Policy ( )
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.
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

5. 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.
are prohibited.
and
Should read “or”
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

6. TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.)
TxDOT’s interpretation of 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.
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

7. TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.) C L
OH Line A
OH Line B
ROW
OH Line C
OH Line D
150 ft.
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
Bridge
Abutment
Joint A.
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

8. TxDOT Utility Related Issues
21.41.d3 – Clearances to Bridges and Grade Separation Structures (cont.) B.
Bridge
Abutment
Joint
ROW C L
150 ft.
150 ft.
ROW
OH Line A
OH Line B
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
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

9. 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.
11/22/2018 2:10 PM

10. 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.
11/22/2018 2:10 PM