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Description / Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Freeways are highways with full control of access.
They are intended to provide for high levels of safety and
efficiency in the movement of large volumes of traffic at high
speeds. With full control of access, preference is given to through
traffic by providing access only at selected locations.
Control of access can be materially affected by the extent and
manner in which utilities cross or otherwise occupy the highway
right-of-way. The state transportation agencies have various
degrees of authority to develop and maintain control of access and
to regulate utilities, generally through their authority to
designate and to control the use of right-of-way acquired for
public highways, including those of all freeways. Their authority
depends upon Federal and state laws or regulations. These laws and
regulations differ between states and may also be different within
a state for highways using existing right-of-way and for highways
on new location. A state may also have separate laws and
regulations applicable only to highways on right-of-way subject to
jurisdiction of a local government such as that of a large
city.
A uniform policy is needed to establish the conditions under
which public and private utilities may be accommodated on the
freeway right-of-way, It is the intent of this policy to establish
procedures whereby the individual state transportation agencies may
uniformly administer the accommodation of utilities on freeways.
While the policy has as its primary purpose improving and
maintaining highway safety and operation, and insuring uniformity
of utility treatment among the states, it recognizes the public
interest in avoiding unnecessary and costly operation and
relocation of public utilities. It is not the intent of this policy
to impose restrictions on the future installation of utility
crossings that would obstruct the development of expanding areas
adjacent to the freeways.
This policy applies to all highways with full control of access,
regardless of system. Also, it has value as a guide for all
highways with partial control of access, especially if a highway
corridor is a mixture of segments with both full and partial
control of access. For highways without control of access refer to
AASHTO's A Guide for Accommodating Utilities within Highway
Right-of- Way (1).
The policy can be applied in most states by existing authority.
Those states in which laws will not permit the application of this
policy in its entirety should strive for uniformity through the
enactment of appropriate legislation. This policy makes no
reference to reimbursement to utilities for the cost of adjusting
or installing facilities on freeway right-of-way. Reimbursement is
subject to state laws and policy.