Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 18 - TRANSPORTATION
Chapter 18.7 - MAINTENANCE
Subchapter 18.7.2 - Right-of-Way Occupancy by Utilities
Rule 18.7.224 - LONGITUDINAL OCCUPANCY BY NEW UNDERGROUND FACILITIES

(1) For communication and electrical power facilities, underground facilities shall be installed according to the requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code.

(2) For natural gas and other hydrocarbon facilities, pipeline installation shall conform to all applicable federal regulations.

(3) For water and sewer facilities, pipeline installation shall conform to the current standards for Montana Public Works Standard Specifications and to the state's current Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and all applicable federal regulations.

(4) No underground facilities will be permitted longitudinal occupancy under any portion of the pavement or surfacing courses in rural areas. However, in hardship cases such as solid rock, steep cliffs and swampy areas, etc., the department may permit the placement of utility facilities along the shoulder of the highway road section, provided sufficient justification is shown. It would be preferable in these cases, however, if the facilities were placed in the roadway ditch section or in the roadway fills for the short distance required to bypass the hardship areas. In such hardship cases consideration will be given to placement in conduit, at extra depth, or placing a concrete cap over the facility for additional protection. The installations shall be well marked as they leave the edge of the right-of-way and where they are located within the highway road facility. This does not affect the direct crossing of the highway rights-of-way in any manner (for underground crossings, see ARM 18.7.227 through 18.7.229) . Utility installation in curbed sections or built-up areas may be permitted under the pavement or surfacing courses provided there are no border strips available for the installation.

(5) Fiber optic cable is to be buried a minimum of 1.0668 meters (42 inches) below the ground line except where the department approves a lesser depth because of some exceptionally difficult construction problems, including, but not limited to, solid rock or placement in utility conduits under city streets. The installed cable must be properly marked above ground and have a location or warning tape 457.2 millimeters (18 inches) above the cable, except as provided for in (6). The aboveground marking should be at least at 152.4 meters (500 foot) intervals or on a common line of sight between signs and markers.

(6) When installing non-metallic pipe or cable, the utility owner shall install suitable markers and other metallic location tape or wire for all installations other than pushed or bored crossings.