R907. Transportation, Administration.R907-64. Longitudinal and Wireless Access to Interstate System Rights-of-Way for Installation of Telecommunication Facilities.
R907-64-1. Purpose.
The purpose of this rule is to implement a program for facilitating longitudinal access and wireless access to interstate system rights-of-way to provide for the installation, operation and maintenance of cable and wireless telecommunication facilities in the rights-of-way. This rule recognizes the importance of quality infrastructure on the interstate system and that the safety and convenience of users of the interstate system must be preserved to the greatest extent possible. Compatible with this principle, the rule also permits the use of the rights-of-way of the interstate system for telecommunication facilities that support Federal and State laws that encourage competition in telecommunication services and the deployment of advanced telecommunication technologies. The department, through designated personnel, may facilitate such installations and maintenance of such facilities, which comply with the criteria established by this rule.
R907-64-2. Authority.
Subsection 72-7-108(2)(a) states that, except as provided in Subsection (4), the department may allow a telecommunication facility provider longitudinal access to the right-of-way of a highway on the interstate system for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a telecommunication facility.
R907-64-3. Definitions.
(1) "Department" means the Utah Department of Transportation,
(2) "Clear zone" means the total roadside border area, starting at the edge of the traveled way, available for safe use by errant vehicles. This area may consist of a shoulder, a recoverable slope, a non-recoverable slope, and a clear run-out area. The desired width is dependent upon the traffic volumes, speeds, and roadside geometry.
(3) "Interstate system" means the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as defined in the Federal-aid Highway Act of 1956 and any supplemental acts or amendments.
(4) "Longitudinal access" means access to or use of any part of a right-of-way of a highway on the interstate system that extends generally parallel to the right-of-way for a total of 30 or more linear meters.
(5) "Permit" means encroachment permit, a document that specifies the requirements and conditions for performing work on the highway right-of-way.
(6) "Right-of-way" means a general term denoting land, property, or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes.
(7) "Telecommunication Advisory Council" means the Telecommunication Advisory Council created by Section 72-7-109.
(8) "Telecommunication facility" means any telecommunication cable, line, fiber, wire, conduit, innerduct, access manhole, hand hole, tower, pedestal, pole, box, transmitting equipment, receiving equipment, power equipment or other equipment, system and device used to transmit, receive, produce or distribute via wireless, wire line, electronic, or optical signal for communication purposes.
(9) "Telecommunication facility provider" means any owner or operator of a telecommunication facility.
(10) "Utility" means privately, publicly, cooperatively, or municipally owned pipelines, facilities, or systems for producing, transmitting, or distributing communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, petroleum products, cable television, water, sewer, steam, waste, storm water not connected with highway drainage, and other similar commodities, which directly or indirectly service the public, or any part thereof.
(11) "Wireless access" means access to and use of any part of a right-of-way or rights-of-way on, any highway of the interstate system for the purpose of constructing, installing, maintaining, using and operating telecommunication facilities for wireless telecommunications.
R907-64-4. Access Policy.
(1) The department acknowledges that Federal and State Legislation, primarily the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 70 (Feb. 8, 1996) and Utah Code Section 54-8b-1, encourage competition in the provision of telecommunication services, and the development and deployment of advanced telecommunication technologies, infrastructure, and networks. These legislative initiatives in turn have increased demand for rights-of-way, including highway rights-of-way, for the installation of telecommunication facilities necessary to support increased competition and deployment of an advanced telecommunication infrastructure.
(2) The department also recognizes that longitudinal access and wireless access for telecommunication facilities may be provided without compromising interstate system integrity, safety, normal interstate system operation or maintenance activities, while contributing to the deployment and efficient operation of intelligent transportation systems.
(3) Therefore, effective on or after August 17, 1999, the department may allow longitudinal access and wireless access on highways of the interstate system for placement, construction, installation, maintenance, repair, use, operation, replacement and removal of telecommunication facilities, as authorized by Section 72-7-108 and subject to compliance with this rule. This rule applies only to longitudinal access and wireless access for telecommunication facilities on rights-of-way within the interstate system and does not alter the existing policy concerning other utilities on system rights-of-way, or for accommodating utilities on other facilities under the jurisdiction of the department.
