Construction methods for utility installations on County highway rights of way shall comply with the applicable provisions of the State of Illinois Department of Transportation “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction”, the applicable General Orders of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Regulations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Standards adopted by the appropriate industry.
(A) Boring or Jacking. Boring or jacking under County highways shall be accomplished from pits located a minimum distance of ten (10) feet (3m) plus the depth of pit without shoring from the edge of the pavement. If shoring is used, the pits shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet (3m) from the edge of pavement on conventional highways. The shoring shall be installed immediately after excavation of the pit and it shall be designed, erected, supported, braced, and maintained so that it will safely support all vertical and lateral loads that may be imposed upon it during the boring or jacking operation.
Wet boring or jetting shall not be permitted under the roadway structure of County highways.
Borings over six (6) inches (0.15m) in diameter shall be accomplished with an auger and following pipe, and the diameter of the auger and following pipe by more than one (1) inch (25mm). Borings six (6) inches and under may be accomplished by either jacking or auger and following pipe method. Pits for boring or jacking shall be excavated no more than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of boring or jacking operations and backfilled within forty-eight (48) hours after boring or jacking operations are completed. While pits are open, they shall be clearly marked and protected by barricades.
(B) Trenching. Trenching for utility installation, repair, or maintenance on County highway rights of way shall be done in accord with the applicable portions of Section 603 of the Illinois Department of Transportation “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction”.
The length of open trench shall be kept to the practicable minimum consistent with requirements for pipe-line testing.
Open trench and windrowed excavated material shall be protected as required by Chapter 6 of the Illinois“Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices”. Where practicable, the excavated material shall be deposited between the roadway and the trench as added protection.
Excavated material shall not be allowed to remain on the paved portion of the roadway. Where right of way width does not allow for windrowing excavated material off the paved portion of the roadway, excavated material shall be hauled to an off-road location.
(C) Backfilling. Backfilling shall consist of refilling pits and/or trenches, excavated for the installation of utilities, with acceptable materials and construction methods in accord with the Illinois Department of Transportation “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction”. When excavated material is hauled away or is unsuitable for backfill, suitable granular backfill shall be used.
All trenches within the limits of the roadway structure shall be backfilled for their full width, depth, and length with granular material meeting the requirements of Article 704.07 (approximately CA 17 gradation) of the “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction”.
(D) Pavement Cuts. Pavement cuts for utility installation or repair shall not be permitted on any County highway open for traffic. If a variance is permitted as covered under Section 33–1‑6, the following requirements shall apply:
- Any excavation under pavements shall be promptly backfilled with granular material meeting the requirements of Article 704.07 (approximately CA 17 gradation) of the State’s “Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction”.
- Restoration for pavement, in kind, shall be accomplished as soon as practicable, and temporary repair with bituminous mixture shall be provided immediately. Any subsequent failure of either temporary repair or the restoration shall be rebuilt upon notification by the Department.
(E) Material Storage on Right of Way. All pipe, conduit, wire, poles, cross arms, or other materials distributed along the highway prior to installation shall be placed as remote as practicable from the edge of pavement in a manner to minimize its being a hazard to errant vehicles or an obstacle to highway maintenance. If material is to be stored on highway right of way for more than two (2) weeks prior to installation, approval must be obtained from the Superintendent of Highways or his duly authorized agent.
(F) Operational Restrictions. Utility construction and/or maintenance operations on County highway rights of way may be at the discretion of the Department, be required to be discontinued during periods of inclement weather when such operations would create extraordinary hazards to highway traffic. Such operations may also be required to be discontinued or restricted when soil conditions are such that the utility work would result in extensive damage to the highway right of way.
These restrictions shall be waived when emergency work is required to restore vital utility services.