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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 24. Transportation And Motor Vehicles
Agency 30. Department of Transportation
Chapter 151. Land Use Permit Regulations
11/21/2024

24VAC30-151-340. Underground utility installations within nonlimited access highways.

Underground longitudinal utilities may be installed under permit on all nonlimited access highways, except in scenic areas, as follows:

1. Underground utilities may be installed within nonlimited access right-of-way by a utility company under permit, including a districtwide permit as allowed under 24VAC30-151-30 C 1.

2. All underground utilities within VDOT rights-of-way will require a minimum of 36 inches of cover, except underground cables that provide cable or telecommunications services shall be at a minimum of 30 inches of cover. The district administrator's designee has the discretion to grant an exception to depth of cover requirements if the permittee encounters obstacles preventing the installation of main line facilities at the minimum depth of cover, as long as installation at the minimum depth of cover is resumed when the installation passes by the obstacle.

3. An underground utility shall not be attached to a bridge or other structure unless the utility owner can demonstrate that the installation and maintenance methods will not interfere with VDOT's ability to maintain the bridge or other structure, will not impact the durability and operational characteristics of the bridge or other structure, and will not require access from the roadway or interfere with roadway traffic. The attachment method must be approved by VDOT (see 24VAC30-151-430).

4. The proposed method for placing an underground facility requires approval from the district administrator's designee. All underground facilities shall be designed to support the load of the highway and any superimposed loads. All pipelines and encasements shall be installed in accordance with 24VAC30-151-360 and 24VAC30-151-370.

5. Underground utilities shall not be installed within the median area except, in special cases or under shared resource agreements, with approval from the Commissioner of Highways.

6. Underground utilities may be installed under sidewalk areas with approval from the district administrator's designee.

Statutory Authority

§ 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 4, eff. November 23, 2011.

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