Since pipelines are buried underground, line markers like the ones shown above are used to indicate their approximate location along the route. The markers can be found where a pipeline intersects a street, highway or railway. The markers display the material transported in the line, the name of the pipeline operator, and a telephone number where the operator can be reached in the event of an emergency.
Markers indicate the general location of a pipeline.
They cannot be relied upon to indicate exact position of the pipeline they mark. Also, the pipeline may not follow a straight course between markers. They provide no information, for example, on the depth or number of pipelines in the vicinity. It's a federal crime to remove or deface a pipeline marker sign. Pipeline marker signs such as those pictured in this brochure are important to public safety.