Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 70 - TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Part II - Utilities
Chapter 5 - Standards Manual for Accommodating Facilities on Highway Right-of-Way
Section II-511 - General Considerations

a. Utility lines shall be located to minimize need for later adjustment to accommodate future highway improvements and to permit installation and servicing such lines with minimum interference to highway traffic.

b. Parallel installation shall be located on a uniform alignment as near as practicable to the right-of-way line so as to provide a safe environment for traffic operations and preserve space for future highway improvements or other utility installations.

c. To the extent feasible and practicable, utility line crossings of the highway will cross on a line generally normal (90°) to the highway alignment.

d. The horizontal and vertical location of utility lines within the highway right-of-way limits will conform with the clear roadside policies applicable for the system, type of highway and specific conditions for the particular highway section involved. The location of above-ground utility facilities will be consistent with the clearances applicable to all roadside obstacles for the type of highway involved.

e. In planning utility installations or relocations just outside highway right-of-way, consideration should be given by the utility to avoid placement of facilities within one foot immediately adjacent to and outside the right-of-way to avoid damages by the DOTD's contractor in relocating property owners' fences 1 foot beyond such right-of-way in compliance with DOTD policy on construction projects.

f. In all cases, full consideration will be given to measures reflecting sound engineering principles and economic factors, necessary to preserve and protect the integrity and visual quality of the highway, its maintenance efficiency and the safety of highway traffic.

a. The utility is responsible for the design of the utility facility to be installed within the highway right-of-way. The DOTD is responsible for review proposal with respect to the location of the utility facilities to be installed. This includes the measures to be taken to preserve the safe and free flow of traffic, structural integrity of the roadway or highway structure, ease of highway maintenance, appearance of the highway and the integrity of the utility facility.

b. Utility installations on, over or under the right-of-way of state highways shall as a minimum, meet the following requirements.

c. Ground-mounted utility facilities shall be of a design compatible with the visual quality of the specific highway section being traversed.

d. All utility installations on, over or under highway right-of-way shall be of durable materials designed for long-service life expectancy and relatively free from routine servicing and maintenance.

e. On new installations or adjustments of existing utility lines, provision should be made for known or planned expansion of the utility facility and for future improvement of the highway, particularly those located underground. They shall be planned so as to minimize hazards and interference with highway traffic when additional overhead or underground lines are installed at some future date.