1. Utility Considerations on Transportation Projects
Charon Williams, E.I.T., CTCM
Sustainable Civil Infrastructure Management & Planning Conference /16/2017

2. WHOOPS!

3. Project Development Process
Overview
Project Development Process
Utility Accommodations Strategy
Design Considerations
Q&A

4. Project Development Process

5. Utility Accommodations Process

6. Utility Accommodations Strategy: A – M – A
Avoid
Minimize
Accommodate

7. Utility Accommodations Strategy: A – M – A
Roadway C
ROW Line
Avoid Example

8. Utility Accommodations Strategy: A – M – A
Roadway C
ROW Line
Minimize Example

9. Utility Accommodations Strategy: A – M – A
Roadway C
ROW Line
Accommodate Example

10. Design Considerations – Utility Accommodation Rules (UAR)

11. Design Considerations – Utility Accommodation Rules (UAR)
§21.37(b)(3)
New utility facilities crossing the highway shall be installed at approximately 90 degrees to the centerline of the highway.

12. Design Considerations – Utility Accommodation Rules (UAR)
§21.40(c)(2) – Underground Utilities (Water lines)
The minimum depth of cover shall be 30 inches, but not less than 18 inches below the pavement structure for crossings. L
Roadway C
ROW Line
Longitudinal Water Facility
20”

13. Design Considerations – Buy America Compliance

14. Buy America Compliance - Foundation
Set forth in both the 23 USC 313 and 23 CFR
Requires that “all contracts eligible for assistance under this chapter for a project carried out within the scope of the applicable finding, determination, or decision under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C et seq.), regardless of the funding source of such contracts, if at least 1 contract for the project is funded with amounts made available to carry out this title.”

15. Buy America Compliance
Buy America Compliance Is Not Optional
Utility work that qualifies for reimbursement, based on compensable property interest, cannot be excluded from Buy America compliance requirements

16. Buy America Compliance
Original Guidance
Certain utility structures and component materials, when composed of more than 90% steel or iron by weight, are subject to BUY AMERICA compliance:

17. Buy America Compliance
Original Guidance
Poles, cross arms, structural support members
Towers and girders comprising transmission towers & stand-alone structures
Conductor support cables
High-strength bolts used as anchor bolts and anchor rods
Iron or steel baseplates
Encasement pipes, pipes and valves
Rebar & other reinforcing iron/steel for all cast-in-place and precast installations
Conduit and ducting
Fire hydrants
Manhole covers, rims, and drop-inlet grates

18. Buy America Compliance
Revised Guidance – Effective June 19, 2017
*ADDS*
Certain utility structures and component materials, when composed of 100% steel or iron, are subject to BUY AMERICA compliance:
Assembly Materials (miscellaneous steel)
Attachment materials
Housing encasements
Fittings
Miscellaneous electronics
Miscellaneous hardware

19. Additional Legislative Requirements
SB 1289
Effective September 1, 2017
Iron and Steel products to be used on state-funded projects
Amends Texas Government Code
Amends Texas Transportation Code

20. Design Considerations - Other
Design phase engineering & consideration for compliance concerns
Additional Thickness of Pipe
Joint Occupancy of Poles
Coating & wrapping of Utility Lines
Spare Conduits or Ducts
Utility Facilities on Highway Structures
Cathodic Protection of Utility Lines
Taller Poles
Existing Facilities Remaining in Place

21. Summary

22. Utility Considerations on Transportation Projects
Summary
A-M-A
UAR
Utility Considerations on Transportation Projects
Buy America & SB 1289
Other

23. Questions/Comments