Preface

Historically, utility facilities have been accommodated in highway rights-of-way pursuant to various State statutes, local law, ordinances and franchises upon execution of a Utility Use and Occupancy Agreement issued by the Department of Transportation. Heretofore such installations have been made based on Department of Transportation approval of plans, prepared by the utility, prior to execution of the Utility Use and Occupancy Agreement by the Department of Transportation. However, construction of freeway type highways, as exemplified by the system of Interstate and Defense Highways, to accommodate large volumes of vehicular traffic and demands of an ever increasing population for essential utility services, has necessitated the Department of Transportation to carefully consider the effects of joint usage of highway rights-of-way and develop written rules and regulations to govern the use and occupancy of highway rights-of-way by public and private utilities. Rules arid regulations set forth herein have been prepared with the thought of accommodating utility facilities and at the same time maintaining the integrity, operational safety and function of the highway facility.