CHAPTER VII
OVERHEAD POWER AND
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
Section 1. Design and Construction Provisions. The provisions of Chapter I as to occupancy of and construction within highway rights-of-way shall apply.
The term communications facilities of this section includes, but is not limited to, telephone/ telegraph lines, fiber optics lines, cable tv lines, fire alarm/signal lines, telemetry circuits, and any other lines for the purpose of sending - receiving signals and communications, as well as related support equipment.
The term power facilities of this section includes, but is not limited to, transmission and distribution lines for electric current and associated equipment and facilities.
Section 2. Specific Provisions.
(a) Only single pole construction will be allowed for parallel encroachments and for crossings when the poles are located on highway R/W.
(b) Crossing of the highway R/W shall be as close to perpendicular to the roadway centerline as practical.
(c) Construction requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code and/or the National Electrical Code shall apply with a minimum vertical clearance of eighteen (18) feet above the high point of the roadway template, side roads or approaches, roadway turnouts, and roads within scenic overlooks, rest areas, and visitor/information centers, computed at maximum conductor or cable sag.
(d) No poles shall be located in the median portion of divided highways. If extenuating circumstances exist, poles may be allowed in medians of 120 feet or wider.
(e) No poles or guy wires shall be located within the roadways clear recovery area and inslopes or backslopes of 2:1 and steeper. Poles located within the clear recovery area due to extenuat- ing circumstances shall be of an approved breakaway design.
(f) Guy wires located in highway R/W shall be equipped with guy guards.
(g) Unless extenuating circumstances exist, no poles shall be placed within or through an interchange area.
(h) Crossarms with electrical conductor or communications cable on pole lines built adjacent to but outside of the highway R/W shall not encroach into the highway R/W for more than eight (8) feet.
(i) Poles shall be located as close as possible to the highway R/W line.
(j) Joint use of poles is encouraged as long as the underbuilt facilitys vertical clearance is a minimum of eighteen (18) feet above the high point of the roadway template at low sag, and is otherwise in compliance with all other provisions of the NESC and/or NSC.
(k) No open wire electrical lines will be attached to highway bridges or other highway structures.