UTILITIES NATURAL GAS PIPELINE & CASING
REQUIREMENTS
Requested by: Washington
Survey Deadline: September 24, 2007
QUESTION:
If would be very helpful to receive the reply by September 24th.
Questions: Do you allow natural gas pipeline installations on your highway structures?
If so, what requirements do you have? i.e.casing requirements, etc.
Also, please feel free to share information on allowing any gas, sewer, water or other
pipelines on your structures.
Thanks.
Tom Swafford
Utilities, Railroad & Agreements Manager
Washington State Department of Transportation
PO Box 47329
MINNESOTA
In Minnesota our Accommodation Policy details what is allowed on structures. Refer to
Section VII. for specific guidelines for "Utility Facilities on Highway Bridge Structures".
The link to the Policy is http://www.dot.state.mn.us/utility/files/pdf/appendix-b.pdf.
Marilyn Remer
Utilities Engineer
Mn DOT, Office of Technical Support
395 John Ireland Blvd., Mailstop 678
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
e-mail: marilyn.remer@state.mn.us
Phone: 651-366-4668
Fax: 651-366-4667
TENNESSEE
TnDOT
Promulgated rules and regulations read " No pipelines or transmission lines, as defined
in ANSI Standard Code B31 series, transmitting flammable liquids or gases will be
permitted on highway structures." Exceptions may be made for smaller box bridge
where there is a hardship issue due to terrain conditions. The ONLY major structure
with a gas line installed in Tennessee was by legislative action.
Other utilities are allowed on case by case, with the Structure Division approval.
Pressure Pipelines over 12" are generally manifold to 12" across the structure.
Requirements are within the structure "bays" with restrictions set by, and hangers
approved by, Structures Division.
Joe Shaw
TDOT Utilities Office
Suite 600 JK Polk Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0337
E-mail: joe.shaw@state.tn.us
Phone: 615.741.2891
Fax: 615.532.1548
CELL: 615.202.7268
NEW YORK
----------------------------------------------------------------New York State response. See Section (j) for Natural Gas requirements:
131.20 Utility Facilities on Structures.
(a)
General. Utility facilities may be placed on bridges
upon written approval of the Department. The following provisions are applicable to
new or replacement installations of usual size, pressure and voltage. The Department
will establish requirements for situations beyond the norm and for those not specifically
covered by this subsection.
(b)
All utility facilities to be installed by State let
contract or owner let contract, shall be fully detailed and shown in plan, section and
elevation when required. Utilities shall not be placed on an existing structure if their
weight would reduce the allowable vehicle loading below the legal limit except in certain
instances when approved by the Department.
(c)
Location of Utility Facilities on Bridges.
(1)
Utility facilities shall not be placed
at nor extend below the bottom of the superstructure.
(2)
Utility facilities shall not be located
where they may be subject to vehicular impacts nor shall they be attached to railing
systems which may be subject to vehicular impacts.
(3)
Utility facilities shall not be located
where they will impair or interfere with roadway drainage.
(4)
Utility facilities shall not be
supported from the bottom of the concrete structural slab.
(5)
Utility facilities should be located so
they do not interfere with maintenance and inspection of the structure.
Aesthetics is also a consideration. Preferred locations, in decreasing desirability, are:
(i)
In bays between main
longitudinal bridge members.
(ii)
In concrete sidewalks - small
diameter installations only.
(iii) In the voided section of closed
box bridge members.
(iv)
On a utility ledge on the
(v)
Attached to the fascia,
fascia.
preferably on downstream side.
(d)
Expansion Devices - All utility installations shall
either:
(1)
Have expansion capability located
adjacent to the bridge expansion bearings so as to conform to the bridge movements.
Additional expansion devices may be required at other locations if the operating
temperature range of the utility or the coefficient of thermal expansion of the utility
installation differs from the characteristics of the bridge; or
(2)
be supported on a system of rollers that
allow it to expand and contract independently of the bridge.
(e)
Shut-Off Devices - All utility facilities carrying fluid
or gaseous materials shall have a shut-off device at the supply side of the structure. If
reverse flows are possible, a shut-off device is required on each end. Shut-off devices
should be located as close to the structure as feasible, not over 1000 feet from the end.
Exceptions may be granted for low-pressure lines upon a showing that such exception
does not compromise public safety.
(f)
Marking - Each utility carrier or casing shall be
clearly and appropriately marked with the carrier contents. The marking may be painted
on or a printed self-adhering tape may be used.
(g)
Protective Structures - Fencing or other protective
structures may be mandated.
(h)
Water Lines. Water lines shall have welded or
restrained joints or shall be cased for the length necessary to prevent water from falling
on an underlying highway, railway, or other areas determined by the Department.
(i)
Sewer Lines. Sewer lines shall have welded or
restrained joints or shall be cased for the length necessary to prevent sewage from
dropping on an underlying highway, railway, or other areas determined by the
Department. (j) Natural Gas Lines. All plans involving natural gas
lines must contain a certification by a licensed professional engineer that the work
conforms to all applicable provisions of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act (49 U.S.C.
1672 et. seq.) and the regulations in 49 CFR Part 192, and State Public Service
Commission requirements in 16 NYCRR Part 255. Where not superseded by the
above federal and state provisions;
(1)
All installations on structures shall be
designed as if subject to the most populous "class location"
requirements in 16 NYCRR Part 255.
(2)
Unless otherwise approved, all welds on carrier
lines shall be nondestructively tested.
(3)
All lines on structures shall be electrically
insulated from the structure or shall be electrically isolated from the buried portion of the
line.
(4)
Unless otherwise approved, lines installed in an
enclosed portion of a structure, or encased in concrete, shall be sleeved in a continuous
manner, with adequate venting. This provision does not apply to sections of lines
where they pass through abutments or retaining walls.
(k)
Communication Lines. Communication lines shall be
placed in ducts having sufficient bending strength to span between points of support.
WYOMING
For Wyoming:
Gas gathering and transmission facilities shall not be attached to any bridge or other
highway structure. Low pressure (60 psi) gas distribution lines are allowed in certain
situations. Below are the requirements. Each District may have additional stipulations.
Section 5. Attachment to Existing Bridges or Structures.
(a) General.
(i) Attachment of utility facilities to the bridge deck surface, to the top of curbs and
sidewalks, or to traffic or pedestrian railings will not be allowed. Open wire electrical or
telephone line attachments are not allowed.
(ii) Welding of utility attachments to main steel girders or direct attachment to main load
carrying girders will not be allowed.
(iii) Requests for attachment of utility lines to bridges shall be forwarded by the District
Maintenance Engineer to the State Bridge Engineer for review and recommendation
regarding the method of attachment.
(iv) Prior to requesting attachment to bridges over railroad tracks from the Department,
the applicant shall furnish written approval of a permit from the railroad company.
(b) Volatile and Corrosive Material. The attachment to a bridge or other structure of
utility lines carrying flammable, corrosive, and/or explosive material may be permitted if
the following criteria are met:
(i) Maximum line size shall be four inches of inside diameter.
(ii) The maximum line pressure shall be 60 psig, which shall be verified in the presence
of Department personnel.
(iii) Each line shall be properly encased and vented.
(iv) Each line shall have a shutoff valve, that activates automatically when a sudden
pressure drop occurs, located within 300 feet of each end of the structure.
Section 6. Attachment to Proposed Bridges or Structures.
(a) General.
The provisions of Paragraph (i) & (ii), Section 5 (a) apply.
(b) New Construction, Utility has Prior Right.
When the construction of a new bridge or structure forces the relocation of a utility
facility and this relocation is reimbursable, the facility may be attached to the new
structure provided the provisions of Chapter IV and Chapter VI, Section 5 can be met.
The Bridge Department will contact the utility during preliminary engineering and enter
into an "Authority for Rendering Special Services" (ARS) with the utility. The cost of
design, materials, and installation will be billed to the utility as those phases are
completed. Reimbursements due the utility for the bridge attachment shall be prorated
by the utility based on the cost of the attachment versus the cost of not attaching to the
bridge, and shown in the final billing to the Department for all of the reimbursable work
on the project.
(c) New Construction, Utility by License.
When the construction of a new bridge or structure conflicts with an existing utility line
that is located on public R/W or otherwise has no reimbursable right; or If a utility
company wishes to attach facilities to a bridge or structure for other
reasons, provided the criteria of Section 5 can be met, the Bridge Department will
design the appropriate hanger system for the facility and include the installation in the
Departments construction contract. The cost of design, materials, and installation will
be billed to the utility company. The request for work and costs shall be covered by an
"Authority for Rendering Special Services" (ARS).
Kenneth B. Keel, P.E.
Utilities & CADD Support Supervisor
Wyoming Department of Transportation
5300 Bishop Blvd
Cheyenne, WY 82009
P: 307 777-4133
F: 307 777-3852
kkeel@dot.state.wy.us
UTAH
UTAH answers in bold below.
Thanks,
Justin Sceili
Questions: Do you allow natural gas pipeline installations on your highway structures?
Only if the amount to bury would by 4 times the cost to attach to a structure, and only if
our structures engineer approves.
If so, what requirements do you have? i.e.casing requirements, etc.
As determined on a case to case basis by structures engineer.
DELAWARE
Delaware has been gradually reducing utility attachments on our bridges. We do have
some natural gas facilities that were attached to our bridges over the years prior to
about 1980. Our manual states:
The following policies apply to utilities on existing structures:
3.7.4.1 Existing utilities attached to a structure can remain if they are not impacted by a
Department project.
3.7.4.2 Existing utilities must be relocated off the structure if the Department's project
requires either temporary or permanent relocation.
3.7.4.3 Any utility that plans to replace a facility attached to a structure shall relocate the
facility off the structure.
Thanks,
Francis J. (Fran)Hahn, PE, AICP, Utilities Engineer
Delaware Department of Transportation
302-760-2269
ARIZONA
ARIZONA
We do not allow natural gas pipe lines on our structures.
Old structures may have had wet utilities but when the structure is replaced these
utilities are relocated.
New structures are permitted to have dry utilities i.e. phone, cable, power all in
conduits
Bruce Vana
Engineer - Manager
ADOT
Utility and Railroad Engineering Section
602-712-8681
PENNSYLVANIA
PennDOT does allow natural gas pipelines installations on highway structures. Noted
below are our encasement requirements.
k. Encase with steel pipe all utility pipes on structures not encased in concrete that carry
liquid over streets, roads or highways. Extend the encasement to a point outside the
abutment wall.
o. No utility facility will be cast inside prestressed concrete box beams without specific
approval of the District Bridge Engineer. However, if approved, utility pipe carrying liquid
will be encased with steel pipe.
Gary C. Fawver, PE
Chief
Utilities and Right of Way Section
gfawver@state.pa.us
MARYLAND
Maryland
We have allowed gas and other utilities on our bridges, however it is not the preferred
method. When it is allowed, the carrier pipe is placed in conduit between the beams. All
requests to place utilities on our structures are required to be reviewed and approved by
our Bridge Design prior to issuing any permits. As part of the review process, the utilities
must prove that all other options have been explored before requesting to attach to our
structures.
Nelson P. Smith, Jr.
Statewide Utility Engineer
Maryland State Highway Administration
211 East Madison Street, mailstop MLL4
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 545-5546
nsmith@sha.state.md.us
ALABAMA
In Alabama, we don’t allow new gas line attachments to our bridges. If there are old
attachments, they are relocated when we replace the bridges.
For all new utility attachments, we have a Bridge Attachment Committee that reviews
the requests. The committee consists of the Maintenance Engineer, the Bridge Bureau
Chief, District Engineer (Division Engineer for us) and the State Utilities Engineer. A
benefits/cost assessment is considered when responding to attachment requests.
We have no problem with cable and telecommunication attachments. We have
approved water and sewer attachments on a limited basis.
(We do not allow electrical attachments either).
Robert G. Lee
State Utilities Engineer
Alabama DOT
1409 Coliseum Blvd.
Montgomery, AL 36110
SOUTH CAROLINA
The South Carolina Department of Transportation does not allow the installation of gas
lines on any structures. In an extreme case where there is no other alternative we
would review the proposal but if it were allowed the utility would be required to submit
drawings of the attachment, all weights associated with the attachment, and the line
would require a carrier casing. This information would be review and approved by the
Bridge Design Department.
With regards to sewer and water lines we do allow them to be attached to the
structures. However all design, hanger design and weights must be submitted for
approval before the utility can proceed.
Thanks,
Mark
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin DOT's answer:
Generally, WisDOT tries to discourage all structure attachments. When we do
allow them, they should not materially affect:
1. Structure design and appearance,
2. Safe operation of traffic, and
3. Efficiency of maintenance.
Generally, this rules out gas attachments, especially if there is a security concern
with the bridge. But we have allowed them on a case by case basis: (1) In urban
areas, where there is literally nowhere else to go, and (2) In rural areas, when the
installation cannot effectively occur due to terrain or rock.
When gas lines are allowed, they are limited to 150 psig. No one knows where
that figure came from, but it seems to be a common number and one that is
agreed upon by the gas industry.
WisDOT's structure attachment policy can be found at:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/rules/docs/9623.pdf
We have allowed water, sanitary sewer, etc. on our structures in rare cases.
Casing may or may not be required for attachments. Specific requirements for
fluids and gases can be found at:
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/business/rules/docs/9663.pdf
With any new structure attachment, the bottom line is that the utility has to prove
to WisDOT that they absolutely need to be there. When we have to replace a
bridge, it is not guaranteed that the existing utility attachments will be allowed to
remain. WisDOT looks for a utility to prove that they would bear a hardship if they
could not attach to a structure. Cost is not typically considered as a hardship.
>>>BF
Bob Fasick
Wisconsin DOT
Bureau of Highway Operations
Right-Of-Way Accommodation & Permitting
608/266-3438
robert.fasick@dot.state.wi.us
OREGON
Oregon allows natural gas lines on structures. See attached for more info on utilities on
structures.
Matthew C. Caswell, P.E., P.L.S.
State Utility Engineer
Oregon Dept. of Transportation
355 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301-3871
(503) 986-3658
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota does allow it.