Safety precautions apply to utility construction as well as to the transportation project contractor’s operations, since they affect the safety and convenience of the transportation project users, and the property owners abutting the transportation project. Safety precautions begin in the planning stages of both transportation projects and utility adjustments, since the design of both types of work must take into consideration the method and timing of the work.

Check for compliance with TMUTCD.

Instructions and visual checks by TxDOT personnel should stress to utility representatives that flares, barricades, warning signs, and flaggers should be provided throughout the time of the adjustment operations if any hazard exists to the public or to construction and TxDOT personnel.

The TxDOT Area Engineer

must

approve the utility traffic control plan before commencement of operations.

Notify TxDOT’s District Public Information Office at least 48 hours before proposed lane closures.

Give attention to boring or tunneling pits, trenches near shoulders, manhole excavation, and boring of holes for communication or power poles, etc., to assure a safe working and traveling area.

Insure proper safety clear zone distances are identified and appropriate traffic barriers are installed.

Safety to TxDOT and contractor personnel is as important as safety to the public. Give careful attention to any special condition that may present a hazard, such as:

potentially dangerous underground lines; and
any overhead power or communication lines.

See Utilities Code, Section 251.153 for more regulations regarding safety.