Virginia Law

Communication tower structures and other types of surface mounted or underground utility facilities may be installed by a utility company under an agreement providing for a shared resource arrangement or the payment of appropriate compensation, or both. The Commissioner of Highways may grant an exception for a nonshared resource arrangement, under strictly controlled conditions. The utility owner must show that any alternative location would be contrary to the public interest. This determination would include an evaluation of the direct and indirect environmental and economic effects that would result from the disapproval of the use of such right-of-way for the accommodation of such utility. Communication pedestals, nodes, and amplifiers may be installed in the right-of-way pursuant to permit unless the district administrator's designee reasonably concludes that safety concerns at a specific location require placement of communication pedestals, nodes, or amplifiers elsewhere in the right-of-way. The placement of communication pedestals, nodes, or amplifiers between the edge of pavement or back of curb and the sidewalk shall not be permitted.