Iowa Department of Transportation
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Access Management

Utility Policy

Utility Policy
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Wireline Crossings


Overview
The following standard specifications are considered to be minimum design standards for wireline facilities that cross the Iowa Department of Transportation right-of-way.  In general, a wire-line crossing should maintain the minimal standards of the latest version as published by the American National Standards Institute’s National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the latest version of the utility policy (Iowa Administrative Code 761, Chapter 112, (306A)).  The department shall deny the issuance of a permit if it determines there is insufficient room for additional utility facilities with the right-of-way.  Accordingly, the applicant should consider the following during the design process and prior to the submission of an application. 

There are two types of wire-line crossings – Aerial or Underground.

Aerial Crossings

  • If space permits, the aerial facilities should be located in such a way to allow for additional future roadway expansion.
  • The clear zone shall be maintained as described in the utility accommodation policy and the latest NESC guidelines.
  • The vertical clearance shall conform and be maintained as described in the utility accommodation policy and the latest NESC guidelines.
  • All aerial crossings shall cross as near perpendicular to the roadway as possible.  In any event, the crossing should be no less than a 60 degree angle relative to the roadway.
  • Un-guyed poles shall be located a minimum distance from the edge of roadway a distance equal to the height of the pole plus ten feet.
  • If guying is required, the guys shall be placed in such a manner to maintain the clear zone and prevent the pole from leaning or falling in the direction of the roadway.
  • If sufficient right-of-way is not available to accommodate the clear zone distance, the department may require the facility to be located underground.
  • Aerial facilities shall be compatible with the visual quality of the specific highway being traversed.


Underground Crossings

  • A minimum depth of wire-line crossing is 48”as measured from the top of pavement at the edge of the roadway.
  • All underground crossings shall cross as near perpendicular to the roadway as possible.  In any event, the crossing should be no less than a 60 degree angle relative to the roadway.