All utility coordination related to TxDOT transportation project must comply with the guidelines within the Right of Way Utility Manual including Federal Guidelines. Exceptions to the policies will be considered based on valid reasoning and justification. Requests for exception to policy will be considered only where the District shows that extreme hardship or unusual conditions provide justification and where alternate measures can be prescribed in keeping with the intent of the UAR. The District Engineer must recommend all exceptions before approval by the ROW Division Director. All work performed outside TxDOT policy can only be considered with the approval of the ROW Division Director, and the following items must be addressed in writing from the District Engineer to the ROW Division Director, with form attached:

Description of condition /nature of violation;
Statement attesting that there is no inherent risk;
The request for exception is submitted with due consideration of State and local requirements;
District's firm recommendation and expressed willingness to accept proposed condition;
Description of "alternate measures" have been prescribed or reviewed;
Approval will not adversely affect the public;
The District has acted in good faith and, therefore, there has been no willful violation of Federal requirements;
There is substantial compliance with all other requirements prescribed by, and full compliance with, requirements mandated by State and Federal statute;
The cost to the Federal government will not be in excess to the cost which it would have incurred had there been full compliance; and
The quality of work undertaken has not been impaired.