California Code of Regulations
Title 23 - Waters
Division 2 - Department of Water Resources
Chapter 6 - Encroachments
Article 6 - Requirements for Specific Types of Encroachments
Section 612.1 - Bridge Encroachments

Universal Citation: 23 CA Code of Regs 612.1

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

The following general standards are the minimum requirements for 'Bridge Encroachments'. These standards shall be met in addition to any requirements for an encroachment permit as set forth in these regulations. Each application shall be evaluated on an individual basis by the Department to ensure the safety and integrity of the State Water Project facilities and right-of-way, and the safety of the public.

(a) New bridge crossings shall be perpendicular to the centerline of the aqueduct and only at locations reviewed and approved by the Department. Exceptions to the policy will only be considered if the applicant demonstrates that the crossing as proposed will not affect the Department's ability to operate, maintain or modify the State Water Project Aqueduct.

(b) New bridge crossings shall be of a 'Free Span' design, meaning no bridge supports shall be allowed in the aqueduct or its lining. The minimum vertical clearance between the bottom of the girders and the top of the canal lining shall be three (3) feet. For box girder bridges, the vertical clearance shall be five (5) feet. The minimum horizontal clearance from the face of the abutment to the top of the canal lining shall be five (5) feet. Exceptions to these clearances will only be considered if the applicant demonstrates that the proposed clearance will not affect the Department's ability to operate, maintain or modify the State Water Project Aqueduct.

(c) Driving sheet piles shall not be permitted. The piles shall be cast-in-place.

(d) All submitted construction plans for the bridge encroachment shall contain the following information:

(1) Superstructures, abutments, railings, embankments, and drainage, including details and sections.

(2) Type of concrete used for different members.

(3) Details of cast-in-place piles, if any, on both sides of the aqueduct.

(4) The elevation of the bottom of the girders and the clearance between the top of the canal lining to the girders.

(e) The right turn radius from the new road onto the Department's operating road shall accommodate turning radius for a 80-foot long vehicle.

(f) Details of any existing or proposed utilities attached to the bridge shall be shown or referenced on the construction plan.

(g) Specific requirements for attaching utilities to bridges are as follows:

(1) Anchor bolt locations shall not intercept the critical reinforcing steel of the bridge.

(2) Utilities shall be placed and anchored under bridge decks between girders and through utility openings, if they are present. The utility shall be placed off center in the utility opening, if possible, to allow for future utility additions.

(3) If an expansion joint is used in the pipeline, it shall be placed near the bridge deck expansion joint.

(4) Core drilling through bridge concrete or abutment and retaining walls for passage of utilities will only be allowed in areas designated by the Department. Core drilling through reinforcement bars shall not be permitted. The annular space between the utility and core-hole surface shall be completely filled with an elastomeric sealant to prevent loss of material or water piping from behind the wing walls and abutments.

(5) No drilling, shooting, grinding, or chipping of any kind shall be permitted on pre-stressed concrete girders.

(6) The total weight of all added utilities shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the weight of adjacent supporting girders and the slab.

(7) Casings shall extend a minimum of ten (10) feet beyond each end of the bridge.

(8) Lateral supports for the utility shall withstand a seismic loading of no less than 0.5g (include pipe material and content inside the pipe in the engineering calculation). Spacing supports shall not exceed a maximum of twelve (12) feet.

(9) All support hardware shall be galvanized steel.

(10) The casings or utilities shall be coated with a Department approved protective coating and maintained as directed by the Department.

(11) Utilities shall not be placed on the bridge deck.

(12) Anchor bolts shall be hot-dipped galvanized double wedge conforming to Federal Specification FF-S-325 Amendment No. 3, Group II, Type 4, Class 1 (REV 8/9/1995), hereby incorporated by reference; and shall be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, or equivalent.

1. New article 6 (sections 612.1-612.67) and section filed 4-22-2015; operative 7-1-2015 (Register 2015, No. 17).

Note: Authority cited: Section 12899.9, Water Code. Reference: Sections 12899.1(c), 12899.2(b) and 12899.7, Water Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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