New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 16 - TRANSPORTATION
Chapter 25 - UTILITY ACCOMMODATION
Subchapter 7 - FACILITY DESIGN AND LOCATION
Section 16:25-7.3 - Safety, construction, and highway restoration provisions

(a) The area disturbed by utility installations or relocations shall be kept to a minimum. Restoration methods shall be in accordance with the Department's standards, specifications, and applicable special provisions in highway occupancy permits for utilities and in utility agreements for highway projects.

(b) Disturbance to the Department's existing electrical facilities, ITS facilities, and drainage facilities shall be avoided. Where necessary, underdrains shall be provided to prevent entrapped water, particularly where utility trench backfill consists of controlled low strength material concrete encasement.

(c) Underground utility facilities shall be backfilled with material required by Department standard specifications. Jetting or puddling shall not be permitted under the roadway.

(d) Material or equipment shall not be stored on Department property except during working operations, unless approved by the Department. Material or equipment shall not be stored within the clear zone area without proper protection.

(e) The utility shall restore all portions of the work area to accommodate traffic and pedestrians at the end of the work day. The pavement surface shall be restored to a smooth and sound condition which shall meet or exceed the conditions prior to construction. The surface shall be maintained in this type of condition on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis during the duration of the work until Department acceptance. If settlement or erosion occurs, the utility shall restore the area within a period of time approved by the Department. The utility shall provide the Department with a list of emergency contacts should the Department need to contact the utility to arrange for such maintenance.

(f) Restoration of flexible and composite pavement by the utility company shall be in accordance with the Department's standard details for Utility Trench Construction found in the New Jersey Department of Transportation Standard Roadway Construction/Traffic Control/Bridge Construction Details.

(g) The utility shall be responsible for maintaining the uninterrupted flow of traffic at all times, unless otherwise specified in the permit or agreement or incorporated as part of the traffic control documents for a Department construction project.

(h) All work performed within highway right-of-way and property under the jurisdiction of the Department, and all signs, markings, or other traffic control devices used by the utility shall be in compliance with the standards set forth in 16:25-1.3. A traffic control plan shall be developed and approved for all utility work within highway right-of-way in accordance with conditions contained in highway occupancy permits issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 16:41. Utility work that is part of a Department construction project, including advance utility relocation work, shall have a traffic control plan prepared and approved in accordance with the utility agreement between the Department and the utility.

(i) Permission from the appropriate Departmental Operations Permit Office and Traffic Operations Center shall be obtained before conducting any scheduled utility activity affecting traffic. On Department construction projects, all utility construction activity shall be coordinated with the Department's Resident Engineer.

(j) Utility facilities within highways shall be constructed and maintained to withstand traffic loading.

(k) All utility facilities within the border area shall be constructed and maintained to withstand Department maintenance vehicular loads.

(l) Utility facilities shall be kept in a state of good repair both structurally and aesthetically at all times.