When the existing facility consists of jointly occupied poles and the utilities separate their facilities in making the adjustment, the following requirements apply:

Occupancy Agreement between the telecommunication provider and pole owner is required to establish proper interest.
Reimbursement is warranted in the actual costs of adjustment after the appropriate credits for betterments and salvage are deducted.
The most economical cost for functional restoration is established by comparative cost estimates that reflect replacement in kind as joint aerial facilities versus separate and distinct installations.
Additional costs for installation of a different type of facility not required by the transportation project will be at the utility’s expense.

Under the above requirements, estimates and agreements for the utilities involved in joint occupancy must be secured and reviewed at the same time so that the most economical adjustment may be determined.

The foregoing requirements may not apply to every situation. There may be various combinations of ownership in joint occupancy of lines requiring special handling through the ROW Division. No one policy can be applied to all projects for all utilities and all types of ground conditions. Consideration will always be given to:

reimbursable items needed for the integrity of the highway and the safety of the traveling public; and
reimbursable items needed to restore the functional service of a utility to a like condition before the adjustment.