Code of Maine Rules › 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 229 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - GENERAL › Chapter 210 - UTILITY ACCOMMODATION RULES › Section 229-210-10 - UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
General
A.
Depth of
				Cover
The minimum depth of Cover for any Facility within the R/W
				  limits is 36 inches, except for high pressure Hazardous Transmittant
				  Facilities, (See Section 10(2)(A),
Cover
). Additional
				  requirements are specified herein for each type of Facility.
Any wires, pipes, conduits or cables that are presently
				  located within the Highway limits at a depth of less than 1 foot and not
				  specifically permitted to be at that depth, shall be relocated in accordance
				  with these rules.
B.
Encasement
Casings shall be used under Bridge approach slabs and in
				  close proximity to Highway Structure footings. Due to the wide variety of
				  designs and the differing schedules for construction or maintenance, MaineDOT
				  will need to determine Casing requirements near footings on a case-by-case
				  basis. Where Encasement is to be employed in other areas, such Encasement shall
				  be provided under center Medians and within the Pavement Structure limits to a
				  point beyond the ditch line for cut sections, 5 feet beyond the toe of slope
				  for fill sections, or 5 feet beyond the face of Curb on urban section roadways
				  (including side streets). Exceptions for Encasement within a portion of the
				  Median may be approved when excessive Median width or significant changes in
				  the roadway cross-section make a continuous installation impractical.
C.
Markers & Detection
				Aids
(1)
Warning Tape
Upon installation, all underground Facilities installed by
				  open cut shall include warning tape, of a color consistent with the APWA
				  Uniform Color Code, located at least 12 inches below the ground surface, but no
				  closer than 18 inches to the top of the Facility, and parallel to the entire
				  installation.
(2)
Signs
All underground utilities crossing the entire Right-of-Way
				  (from one boundary to the other) shall have a readily identifiable marker
				  installed at each Right-of-Way line crossed to indicate the type of Facility,
				  the name of the owner and a telephone number to call. Signs shall be maintained
				  with current, legible information.
(3)
Pedestals
All pedestals shall have a readily identifiable marker
				  installed on each pedestal to indicate the type of Facility, the name of the
				  owner and a telephone number to call. Markers shall be maintained with current,
				  legible information.
(4)
Detection Aids
All nonmetallic underground Facility installations shall
				  include a metallic component that provides electrical continuity to aid in the
				  future detection and location of the Facility. When a separate tracer wire is
				  used for this purpose, it shall be installed a maximum of 12 inches above the
				  top of the Facility.
D.
Appurtenances
Aboveground Appurtenances installed as a part of an
				  underground Facility shall be located in accordance with Section
				  11, Aboveground Installations.
E.
Methods of
				Installation
(1)
Trenchless
				Installation Methods
All pits associated with Trenchless Installation Methods
				  shall be located as far from the ETW as possible, preferably outside the Clear
				  Zone. Pits shall be located and constructed so as not to compromise public
				  safety or the integrity of any Highway Structure. The bottom of the pit
				  sidewall nearest the roadway edge shall, at a minimum, be located beyond a line
				  created by a 1:1 slope projected down from the Edge of Shoulder. The Region
				  Engineer may require the use of support structures to achieve the proper degree
				  of protection.
All trenchless installation methods are required to have the
				  ability to accurately determine the horizontal and vertical position of the tip
				  instrument when utilities, including drainage structures, are being crossed
				  during installation.
(2)
Blasting
48 hours' notice must be given to the appropriate MaineDOT
				  Region Office prior to any blasting within the Highway limits. When blasting is
				  to occur within 100 feet of a Highway Structure, prior approval must
				  specifically be obtained from MaineDOT. MaineDOT may require that detailed
				  plans and procedures prepared by a licensed blaster be submitted by the
				  Authorized Entity. Pre-blast surveys may also be specified as a work
				  condition.
(3)
Pavement Cuts
Wherever pavement is to be cut, all edges shall be cut neat
				  and straight.
(4)
Backfill/Compaction
Backfill compaction shall equal that of the surrounding soil
				  outside of the Pavement Structure limits. Within the Pavement Structure limits,
				  Backfill and compaction requirements shall be in accordance with the latest
				  edition of MaineDOT's Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges.
F.
Locations of
				Installations
(1)
Undesirable
				Locations
Locations in deep cuts, near footings of Bridges or retaining
				  walls, within areas of Special Materials, across intersections at grade, across
				  ramp terminals, or in areas where it will be difficult to attain minimum Cover
				  shall be avoided whenever possible.
(2)
Clearance from Highway
				Structures
Vertical and horizontal clearance between any Facility or
				  Appurtenance and a Highway Structure shall be sufficient to permit maintenance
				  of both without interference. Clearances shall comply with Section
				  9(1)(I),
Clearance Between Facilities
.
(3)
Road Side of the Utility Pole
				Line
Mainline underground Facilities should normally be installed
				  on the Traveled Way side of the pole line.
(4)
Additional Requirements
The location of any Facilities or Appurtenances may be
				  further restricted by the Region Engineer to ensure that a proposed Facility or
				  Appurtenance will not interfere with existing or currently planned Highway
				  construction and/or maintenance activities.
(5)
Highway Drainage Pipes
Highway drainage pipes and structures shall be protected
				  during any Facility and Appurtenance installation and maintenance. Utilization
				  of existing drainage pipes as Sleeves is not permitted.
(6)
Services to Corner
				Properties
Property having frontage on both a state or state-aid Highway
				  and a lower classification Public Way shall normally have the underground
				  service provided from the lower classification corridor, whenever both
				  corridors are served by equivalent distribution facilities. On a case-by-case
				  basis, MaineDOT will consider the level of impacts to both corridors and to
				  private property when determining the most appropriate point of connection.
				  Should the lower classification corridor be under municipal jurisdiction, the
				  Utility shall obtain the necessary permits from that municipality.
(7)
Service
				Consolidation
In locations where numerous underground service lines must
				  cross the Traveled Way, consolidation of service crossings shall be evaluated
				  and utilized whenever possible. MaineDOT may require such consolidation
				  whenever it is determined that impacts on the traveling public, highway
				  maintenance or other accommodated Facilities will be minimized.