Code of Maine Rules › 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 229 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - GENERAL › Chapter 210 - UTILITY ACCOMMODATION RULES › Section 229-210-11 - ABOVEGROUND INSTALLATIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
General
A.
Vertical
				Clearances
The vertical clearance of new overhead lines above Highways
				  and intersecting Public Ways shall be a minimum of 18 feet. When existing
				  roadway elevations are increased, existing overhead Facilities that meet
				  vertical clearances defined within applicable National Standards may be allowed
				  to remain unless otherwise directed by MaineDOT. New or adjusted overhead lines
				  running parallel to the Highway and not crossing intersecting Public Ways shall
				  have a minimum vertical clearance as defined within applicable National
				  Standards.
B.
Support
				Structures
Monopole Installations and Utility Pole Structures, as
				  defined herein, will not normally be accommodated within the State or State-Aid
				  Right-Of-Way. These installations are not among the types of facilities
				  specifically authorized to use the highway corridors in accordance with MRS
				  Title 35-A, Chapter 23, nor are they compatible with the types of structures
				  that can be safely located within the typical right-of-way corridor
				  widths.
Utility Pole Structures may become necessary in some
				  instances based upon site conditions and engineering needs. In such cases,
				  where the Department allows the use of a Utility Pole Structure, accommodation
				  will be at offsets that will exceed normal Utility Pole offsets and will
				  typically meet or exceed the offsets required in the AASHTO Roadside Design
				  Guide. Utility Pole Structures are not considered a replacement pole for
				  standard Utility Poles and must always be permitted separately.
Where surplus Right-Of-Way or other separate MaineDOT
				  properties may enable accommodation of Monopole Installations and Utility Pole
				  Structures, and where these facilities are deemed acceptable after review of
				  the application, MaineDOT reserves the right to establish lease rates based on
				  prevailing real estate values. The lease rate process for surplus property will
				  be the same for all companies providing similar services.
C.
Use of Existing Department Poles or
				Structures
The Department may, at its sole discretion and on an asset by
				  asset basis, allow singular small antenna systems to be located on existing
				  poles or other structures owned by the Department. In those cases, an
				  application will be made and all aspects of the installations must meet all
				  industry and engineering standards. For example, structural, electrical,
				  telecommunications, land use, etc.
The Department will review the applications for
				  acceptability. If the installations are deemed acceptable, the Department may
				  charge a reasonable fee for each attachment that is based upon consideration of
				  the facility's impact upon the pole or structure, its ongoing maintenance,
				  rates charged for similar attachments on other similar structures within the
				  highway corridors, or other appropriate and reasonable considerations.
The Department may, at its sole discretion and on an asset by
				  asset basis, allow singular instances of shared facilities when the proposed
				  location of a monopole structure and the need for a highway facility, such as
				  high mast lighting, may coincide. The Department will review the applications
				  for acceptability. If the installations are deemed acceptable, the Department
				  will charge a reasonable fee for such co-location based upon consideration of
				  the facility's construction, impact upon the pole or structure, its ongoing
				  maintenance, rates charged for similar co-located structures within the highway
				  corridors, or other appropriate and reasonable considerations.
D.
Utility Poles
(1)
Utility Pole Construction
Utility Poles within the Highway limits shall be single-pole
				  construction.
(2)
Multiple Pole Lines
Multiple Pole Lines are no longer permitted within the
				  Highway limits. Stub poles or service poles that must be located within the
				  Right-of-Way are not considered a separate pole line, but shall conform to all
				  applicable offset criteria. Existing areas having Multiple Pole Lines shall be
				  reduced to a single, joint use pole line whenever:
(a) MaineDOT undertakes any construction
				project having a scope beyond a Pavement Overlay and existing poles are
				required to be relocated, or
(b)
				MaineDOT determines a particular area to present a significant hazard to the
				traveling public.
If any Authorized Entity undertakes a project in an area with
				  an existing Multiple Pole Line that is separate from a MaineDOT Project and
				  consists of the replacement of ten or more consecutive poles, one of the
				  following must occur:
(a) the owners
				of the aboveground Facilities must agree to combine their Facilities onto a
				single pole line as part of the proposed project, or
(b) the Authorized Entity undertaking the
				pole replacements must install poles of sufficient height to accommodate the
				other Facilities when they are upgraded.
Existing Multiple Pole Lines, which involve Electric Supply
				  Lines owned by different Authorized Entities, will not be forced to combine
				  onto a single pole line providing all offset criteria are met.
(3)
Service Poles
Unless vertical clearances and the local terrain dictate
				  otherwise, all poles used to exclusively provide service to a customer shall
				  normally be installed at or beyond the Highway R/W limits.
(4)
Anchors
Pole anchors shall not be installed on the Traveled Way side
				  of a pole unless located behind guardrail and in compliance with Section
				  11(2)(B)(1),
Guardrail
. Anchors shall be adequately designed
				  and installed to enable shared-use whenever possible with standard utility
				  equipment.
(5)
Underground Service Lines
Poles that are located on the Traveled Way side of a ditch
				  line or open drainage area that will require periodic ditch maintenance shall
				  not be used to provide underground service lines to adjacent properties