Washington County Road & Bridge Department

The rules and regulations of this policy will, and do, pertain to all roads, improved and unimproved, within Washington County, Texas which includes, but not limited to, the following types of road ways;

• Paved Roads
• Gravel Roads
• Dirt Roads

Formal Notice must be given of proposed installation of any buried lines, and/or cables, upon and along any right of way of county roads in Washington County. This notice must be in writing and submitted for approval before Commissioners Court prior to any work being performed. Each written request should contain detailed drawings, and plan specifications, of the proposed utility line, and shall be submitted in copies of three.

Brush Disposal - Any brush, trees, debris, material etc., that are cut will be disposed of and not left in the ditch, the right of way, or the road. Rocks that may be dug up by a plow, trencher, tractor or any other equipment, must be disposed of properly. All services to be performed shall not interfere nor hinder the normal flow of traffic.

Damages - Any damages to the roadway and/or county right of way will be repaired to their original condition and to the satisfaction of the County Road Administrator. Washington County will not be responsible for any damages, which occur to buried utility lines within the county road or county right of way.

Depth of Underground Lines - The depth of underground lines shall be as specified herein for each type of utility. Where placements at such depths are impractical or where unusual conditions exist, the department shall specify other protection as may be appropriate in lieu of the depth of bury required for the particular utility line. Any and all buried utility lines will be placed at a minimum depth of 36". A ny deviation from the specified depth must be requested in writing and approved before Commissioners Court.

1. High pressure gas and liquid petroleum lines will be constructed no less than forty-eight inches (48") lower than the lowest part of the drainage or bar ditch, and the drainage is to be considered at least two feet (2') below the center of the roadway.
   
    
2. Fiber Optic lines will be constructed no less than forty-eight inches (48") lower than the lowest part of the drainage or bar ditch, and the drainage is to be considered at least two feet (2') below the center of the roadway.
   
    
3. Communications cable will be constructed no less than thirty-six inches (36") lower than the lowest part of the drainage or bar ditch, and the drainage is to be considered at least two feet (2') below the center of the roadway.
   
    
4. Water Lines will be constructed no less than thirty-six inches (36") lower than the lowest part of the drainage or bar ditch, and the drainage is to be considered at least two feet (2') below the center of the roadway; crossings to be encased.
   
    
5. Underground Power line crossings and longitudinal shall be encased (placed in conduit) and buried a minimum of thirty-six inches (36") under roadway ditches, and sixty inches (60") below the pavement surface.
   
    
6. Cable television and copper cable communication lines shall have a minimum depth of cover twenty-four inches 24") under ditches or 18 inches beneath the bottom of the pavement structure, whichever is greater.
   
    

Location - Utility lines shall be located to avoid or minimize the need for adjustment for future road improvements and to permit access to the utility lines for their maintenance with minimum interference to road traffic. No line or cable shall be buried in the center of the ditch. All lines must be placed in the back slope, not to interfere with the drainage in the ditch. Any buried cable shall not be placed on top, or inside, of any existing culverts.

Encasement - In general, underground utility line crossings shall be encased in the interest of safety, protection of the utility, protection of the roadway, and for access to the utility.

Casing shall consist of a steel pipe or other separate structure around and outside the carrier line and shall be designed to support the load of the roadway and imposed loads thereon, including that of construction machinery. The strength of the casing shall equal or exceed structural requirements for drainage culverts and it shall be composed of materials of satisfactory durability under conditions to which it may be subjected.

Markers - The utility company shall place a readily identifiable and suitable marker at each right of way line where it is crossed by any

• High pressure gas or liquid petroleum line, except where marked by a vent.
• Communication cables.
• Water line
• Underground power lines
• Cable television and copper cable

Methods of Installation - All lines placed under any existing roadway shall be installed by boring or tunneling, encasing of the line may be required. No trenching, or cutting of the county road is to be done without approval.

The use of explosives for any excavations on the right of way incident to utility line installation shall not be permitted.

During installation all traffic control devices (signs, markings, barricades, etc.) must be used to warn motorists of the construction activity and shall conform to the TMUTCD.

Pedestals - Above-ground pedestals or other utility appurtenances installed as a part of an underground commercial line shall be located at or near the right of way line, well outside the road maintenance operation area.

Placement - No line shall be placed through a culvert (road or access driveway pipe). Parallel water, high-pressure gas, and liquefied petroleum lines should be constructed on private property. When the line is to cross the county right of way and roadway all rules and regulations are to be followed as described within.

Relocation of Equipment - If future relocation of underground lines shall become necessary, for the purpose of widening the road, changing of a traffic lane, or any other necessity, the equipment installed in the county right of way will be required to be relocated.

The Commissioners Court shall give a written 45-day notice before the date the relocation is to be made. This notice will identify the equipment to be relocated and shall indicate the location of the right of way where the person may re-install the equipment.

The person shall pay the cost of repairing any damages made to the county road damaged by the relocation, and Washington County will not be held responsible for any liabilities and expenses incurred from the relocation of any said utility line.

Traffic Structures - The attachment of utility lines to bridges and separation structures is discouraged, since the proliferation of such lines and their maintenance constitutes a hazard to traffic as well as complicating the widening or repair of such structures. Therefore, when it is feasible and reasonable to locate utility lines elsewhere, attachment to bridge structures will not be allowed.

1. The County Road Administrator must be notified prior to the beginning of construction in order to insure all work has been approved in Commissioners Court. Notice must be made, no later than, 48 hours prior to commencing construction.
2. All damage to the roadway and county right of way will be repaired to their original condition and to the satisfaction of the County Road Administrator.
3. Washington County reserves the right to require Applicant to relocate, or lower, any such line at no cost to Washington County, should any alterations or road changes become necessary.
4. Washington County is not responsible for any damage that might occur to any existing utility line in the County right of way, or future line placed in the county right of way.
5. The utility shall be placed and maintained on the County right of way in accordance with any and all governing laws, rules, and regulations..
6. All depths of utility lines must be as required and approved.
7. All roads shall be bored in accordance with the Utility Accommodation Policy of the Texas Department of Transportation dated May 1989.
8. All work sites will be barricaded during the construction period. No open holes in the county road will be left unattended, or un-barricaded during, and after construction period.
9. The normal charge for each pipeline crossing is $300.00 to be attached to the original request when presented before Commissioners Court for approval.
10. Construction shall be in strict accordance to the latest Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, published by the Texas Department of Transportation, and all other State and Federal laws governing utility construction.