Where other arrangements for a utility line to span an obstruction are not feasible, the department may consider the attachment of such line to a bridge structure. Any exceptions that are permitted will be handled in accordance with the conditions set forth in

Title 43 TAC, Section 21.35 and 21.37 (relating to utility structures)

and other pertinent requirements contained therein. Each such attachment will be considered on an individual basis and permission to attach will not be considered as establishing a precedent for granting of subsequent requests for attachment.

The Bridge Division is the Office of Primary Responsibility for all utility attachments. The executed attachment agreements will be housed in the Bridge Inspection Database under the corresponding structure number.

TxDOT enters into agreements for utility attachments to on-system bridges only. Utility attachments to off-system bridges are handled by the owner of the bridge, usually a county or city government.

Per the

Utility Accommodation Rules §21.37(e)

, “(1) The attachment of utility lines to bridges and grade separation structures is prohibited if other locations are feasible and reasonable. (2) Where other arrangements for a utility line to span an obstruction are not feasible, the utility may submit a request to the District for attachment of the line to a bridge structure through a bridge attachment agreement. Each attachment will be considered on an individual basis, and permission to attach will not be considered as establishing a precedent for granting of subsequent requests for attachment.”

The following guidelines govern attachment of utilities to bridges.

When it is impractical to carry a self-supporting communication line across a stream or other obstruction, the department may permit the attachment of the line to a bridge. If approved on existing bridges, the line must be enclosed in a conduit and so located on the structure as not to interfere with stream flow, traffic, or routine maintenance operations. When a request is made before construction of a bridge, if approved, suitable conduits may be provided in the structure if the utility bears the cost of all additional work and materials involved.

If it is the department’s responsibility to provide for the adjustment of communications lines or conduits to accommodate the construction of a highway and the adjustment provides for the placement of communications conduits in a bridge, the department will allow a reasonable number of spare conduits in the structure if the spares are placed at the time of construction and the telephone company bears the cost of the spare conduits.

No gas or liquid fuel lines may be attached to a bridge or grade separation structure without the specific approval of the TxDOT Executive Director.

Power lines are not permitted on bridges under any condition with the exception of low-voltage distribution lines where the cost of independent facilities to carry these lines would be prohibitive. For this requirement, low-voltage lines must carry 600 volts or less.

When a municipality or utility company requests permission to attach a pipeline to a proposed bridge prior to construction, and the added load is sufficient to require an increase in the strength of the structure or use of more costly materials or type of construction, the utility owner is required to pay for the increase in cost.

When a utility company requests permission to attach a pipeline to an existing bridge, sufficient information should be furnished to allow a stress analysis to determine the effect of the added load on the structure. Other details of the proposed attachment as they affect safety and maintenance should also be presented. If the bridge structure is not of adequate strength to carry the increased weight or forces within a factor of safety, permission will not be granted.

Temporary water lines are sometimes requested to be attached to bridges by companies in the oil and gas industry. When a company requests permission to attach a temporary water line to an existing bridge, sufficient information should be furnished to perform a stress analysis to determine the effect of the added load on the structure. Other details that affect safety and maintenance of the proposed attachment should also be presented. Details of the proposed attachment to the bridge should be signed and sealed by a Texas registered professional engineer. If the bridge structure is not of adequate strength to carry the increased weight or forces within a factor of safety, permission will not be granted.

The following outlines the process for requesting utility attachments to structures:

Recommended attachment locations are on the overhang, as close as possible to the outside beam, or behind the outside beam. Behind the outside beam is preferred. Hanging lines on the outside of the beams is not aesthetically pleasing and may be subject to vandalism. Attachments to water crossing structures should be placed on the downstream side where exposure to high water is less likely.

Do not attach to any bridge rail or rail hardware, including anchor bolts. This will eliminate the need to get the owner of the attachment involved when bridge rail repair is performed.

Do not hang lines from the bottom of beams. This decreases freeboard and increases the likelihood of damage.

The District engineer can approve a utility attachment and submit the request, with District recommendation, directly to the Bridge Division project manager. The Bridge Division project manager coordinates the request with assistance from the Design Section and the Right of Way Division. The Design Section conducts a structural review and a review of the details. The Bridge Division project manager works with the District permit coordinator to review the agreement and send for full execution.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has specified that on-system projects must adhere to the Utility Accommodation Rules (UAR) codified as Title 43 TAC Sections 21.31-21.57. Sometimes full compliance with the UAR is unattainable. In such cases an exception must be certified by the District director of Transportation Planning and Development and authorized by the Right of Way Division director using the form entitled Certification for Utility

Accommodation Requests for exceptions will be considered only when it is shown that extreme hardship or unusual conditions provide justification and when compensating or alternative measures can be taken in keeping with the intent of these sections. All exception requests made to the District must be fully documented with design data, cost comparisons, and other pertinent information. For more information, refer to the Right of Way Utilities Manual and the Local Government Projects Policy Manual.

Off-system projects should comply with the UAP when possible; however, off-system projects may utilize local codes, policies, and customary practices when representing the public’s best interests. If local codes, policies, or practices are used instead of the UAP, a Utility Accommodation Policy Declaration form must be completed and included with the utility agreement.

Although there is no initial fee or rental charge, attachments will be made at no cost to the state. All expenses will be the responsibility of the utilities. Any additional cost due to modification of the bridge structure to accommodate the attachment must be borne by the utility company. This cost or method of determining the cost will be established in advance and shown in the agreement.

Exhibits attached to the request should include drawings showing location, type, size, and weight of the line, attachment details, and safety features. Exposed portions of an attachment must be of non-corrosive material or must be protected from corrosion by an acceptable method such as hotdipped galvanizing, if appropriate. Pipelines and conduits must not impede the flow of water through a structure or the movement of traffic, either pedestrian or vehicular, and must be located so as not to interfere with routine maintenance operations.

Maintenance of utility attachments to a bridge is the responsibility of the utilities. Installation and maintenance of utility attachments will be conducted so as not to inconvenience or interfere with highway traffic and will comply with governing laws and TxDOT regulations and policies. During attachment installation or maintenance, all traffic controls should comply with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

Exhibits submitted by the District to the Bridge Division project manager should include the following:

The Bridge Division project manager must approve requests by the United States Geologic Survey or other public or private agencies for gauging stations to be located on or near highway stream crossing bridges. These requests are handled by permit after approval is received from the District. A stipulation of the agreement is that the gauging equipment will be removed upon 30 days’ notice when it is necessary to widen, repair, or reconstruct the bridge. Notify the bridge project manager of any proposed work that will require removal or relocation of a gauging station.

Accordingly, the only reasons that USGS would not be granted access would be situations such as pending maintenance, widening, repair, or removal of the structure which would also negatively affect the gauging station. The proper procedure for requesting a location agreement is:

These procedures apply to any attachment by USGS to any TxDOT structure or within its ROW, regardless of how minor the attachment may be.

The Bridge Division project manager must review and approve requests by the Texas Water Development Board for water quality stations to be located on or near highway stream crossing bridges. These requests are handled by permit after approval is received from the District. A stipulation of the agreement is that the station will be removed upon 30 days’ notice when it is necessary to widen, repair, or reconstruct the bridge. Notify the Bridge Division project manager of any proposed work that will require removal or relocation of a Texas Water Development Board water quality station.

When either the state or a local government wishes to place an attachment to a structure within the other’s right of way, the Bridge Division project manager will coordinate the agreement process with assistance from the Design Division and the Right of Way Division. A satisfactory agreement will set forth the financial responsibility and commitments, including maintenance and liability, of each party involved.