State laws governing land acquisition for highway uses do not include authority to purchase right of way for utility purposes. However, utilities may joint-use available areas within highway right of way acquired for the maintenance of backslopes, clear zones, and other highway features. To maximize the use of these limited areas, utilities are encouraged to use the utility corridor concept by joint trenching, common duct occupancy, and common infrastructure.

In urban and highly congested areas, TxDOT may determine that the most effective method of maximizing right of way use is to construct a utility corridor, such as a box culvert, for utility joint use.

Communication and cooperation are essential to achieve the desired results for the utility corridor concept. It is recommended that a Memorandum of Understanding be executed by all parties before constructing the corridor. ROW Division should be consulted for additional information and implementation of utility corridors.