Code of Massachusetts Regulations
220 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Title 220 CMR 111.00 - Construction Of Streets, Places And Ways, Except Residential Driveways, Over, Along or Across High Pressure Gas Mains Operating at Pressures in Excess of 200 PSIG
Section 111.04 - Specifications for the Installation of Pipe under a Road

(a) Excavation. Excavate trench sides as nearly vertical as practical. Make trench width at least 12 inches, but not more than 24 inches wider than the diameter of the pipe (where practicable).

(b) Bed Fill. Place, compact and shape the bed fill. Locate the bed so that the pipe will lie in the center of the trench.

(c) Pipe. Lay pipe on bed.

(d) Side Fill. Fill both sides of the pipe simultaneously in six-inch lifts. Compact each lift.

(e) Top Fill. Place the top fill at the same time the last lift of side fill is placed. Do not compact top fill for first six inches over pipe.

(f) Back Fill. Place in six-inch lifts and compact above six-inch layer.

(a) The bed side and top fill must be compacted by any one of the following methods:

(b) The backfill must be placed in six-inch lifts with each lift being compacted by at least one coverage of a mechanical compactor or of construction equipment. That portion of the backfill within the subgrade and base of a road or railroad must be compacted to the standard specified for the particular base or subgrade.

(a) Bed, Side and Top Fill. Use a natural granular soil (concrete sand, asphalt course base sand) having the following size characteristics:

(b) Backfill. Use a soil having:

(c) Backfill. Within the depth of road, subgrade and base must meet the specifications in force for the particular base or subgrade.

(d) No person or municipality shall uncover, disturb, change or otherwise alter or interfere with the safety of any high-pressure gas main or portion thereof subject to the provisions of 220 CMR 111.00.

(e) Any person or municipality laying out or intending to construct a street, way, or place over, across or along a high-pressure gas main subject to the provisions of 220 CMR 111.00 shall so notify in writing the Department and the owner of the high-pressure pipeline at least 30 days before undertaking such construction. The notice shall accurately describe the location of the street, place or way in sufficient detail as to width, length, grade and proposed date of construction. Upon request the gas company shall within seven days have a qualified representative inspect the location and describe to said person or municipality the work necessary to effect compliance with 220 CMR 111.00 and the gas company shall, upon request, provide an estimate of the cost of said construction within 30 days.

(f) Any person, municipality or gas company may make written request to the Department for exception from or modification of any of the provisions of 220 CMR 111.00.

FIGURE 1: INSTALLATION OF PIPE UNDER ROAD

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