(a) For all crossings, the angle of crossing should be as near a right angle to the road centerline as practicable. However, lesser angles may be permitted based upon economic considerations of practical alternatives.

(b) Where practicable, crossings should avoid deep cuts, footings of bridges and retaining walls, or locations where roadway drainage would be affected.

(c) Longitudinal installations should run parallel to the roadway and, particularly for utilities with above-ground appurtenances, should lie as near as practicable to the right-of-way line. Installations that cannot be so installed will be allowed at another location within the right-of-way, provided that:

(d) Where irregularly shaped portions of the right-of-way extend beyond the normal right-of-way limits, a uniform alignment of facilities may be allowed. In areas where right-of-way is less than standard, the County may, at its discretion, make efforts to obtain additional road right-of-way, which will provide a uniform offset for the utility.

(a) The grade of the top of the utility and its casing, if present, within the right-of-way shall comply with the applicable design standards for underground utility location and should not be less than (i) 42 inches for electric power lines, (ii) 30 inches below the pavement surface for utilities other than electric power lines, and (iii) two feet below any ditch, culvert, storm sewer or other drainage facility.

(b) Suitable bridging, concrete slabs, casings, or other appropriate measures as approved by the County Engineer shall be used to protect utilities which by reason of shallow bury or location makes them vulnerable to damage from road construction or maintenance activities. This requirement may be applied retroactively to existing utilities.

(c) Depth of cover may not be reduced for flammable, corrosive, or energized utilities without written request, with justification, to the County Engineer and without special and redundant measures being taken to assure protection of the utility from damage. If not precluded by such things as sidewalks, above-ground warning markers shall also be installed. Work may not proceed without permission of the County Engineer.

(a) Casings shall be installed for roadway crossings where required by appropriate industry code.

(b) Casings may be required for the following conditions:

(c) Within the road right-of-way, where practicable, casing pipes shall extend beyond the toe of fill slopes, back of roadway ditch, or outside of curb.

(d) Other than for necessary vents and/or drains, casing pipes shall be sealed at both ends.

(e) Casing pipes shall be designed to support the load of the road and superimposed loads thereon and, as a minimum, shall equal the structural requirements for road drainage facilities (e.g. culverts). Casings shall be composed of materials of sufficient durability to withstand conditions to which they may normally be exposed.

(a) The carrier pipe shall conform to the material and design requirements of the appropriate utility industry and governmental codes and specifications.

(b) The carrier pipe shall be designed to support the load of the road, plus superimposed loads thereon, when the pipe is operated under all ranges of pressure from maximum internal to zero pressure.

(a) Vents shall be required for casings, tunnels and galleries enclosing carriers of fuel where required by federal safety standards. Vent standpipes should be located and constructed so as neither to interfere with maintenance of the road nor to be concealed by vegetation. Preferably standpipes should stand by a fence or on the right-of-way line.

(b) Drains shall be required for casings, tunnels or galleries enclosing carriers of liquid, liquefied gas, or heavy gas. Drains for carriers of hazardous and non-hazardous materials alike shall be directed to natural or artificial holding areas to prevent the potential for surface or ground water contamination. Drains for which only water may discharge may be directed into the roadway ditch or natural water course at locations approved by the County. The drain outfall shall not be used as a wasteway for routine purging of the carrier unless specifically authorized by the County.

(c) Location markers and emergency information shall be used when required by applicable State and federal standards or by the County.

(d) Manholes should be designed and located in a manner that will cause the least interference to other utilities or future road expansion. Where practicable, installations in the pavement or shoulders should be avoided.

(e) Shut-off valves, switches, or other devices should be installed in the utility at or near ends of structures (e.g. bridges), near hazards where breakage is more likely (e.g., land slide areas) and where breakage would likely cause extraordinary adverse impacts (e.g., streams, wetlands, shorelines).

(a) Trenched construction and backfill:

(b) Untrenched construction may be required for pipelines crossing roads paved with asphalt concrete or cement concrete and for roads paved with bituminous surface treatment when directed by the County.

(c) Plowing of communication and electrical lines adjacent to existing roads by means of a vibrator plow may be allowed by the County, provided that the structural integrity of the roadway is not impaired.