Section 29.14. Electric power and communication circuits.

 

(1)   Underground.

(a) A utility may install or modify electric power or communication facilities by trenching, direct burial, plowing, boring or jacking. Boring without conduit is permissible where soil conditions allow. Underground utility construction shall conform with all applicable codes, standards and specifications.

(b) The vertical distance from the top of the finished railroad property surface to the top of the conduit, or top of the casing where required, shall be at least 2 feet. This distance may not be reduced unless the circuit is satisfactorily protected with suitable protective covering or conduit.

(c) All provisions of this chapter, except for s. Trans 29.12 (4) and (6) (b) , shall apply to underground electric power or communications utility facilities unless clearly inconsistent with this section.

(2)   Overhead power and communication circuits.

(a) The space between the track zone and the department railroad property boundary lines shall be kept as free from obstructions as practicable. If an above-ground utility facility is permitted, it shall be located so as not to interfere with railroad operations or maintenance and may not be concealed by vegetation. It should be placed as close as practicable to an existing fence or to a department railroad property boundary line. Adjustments because of the terrain traversed may be made in locating poles, guys, and related facilities on the department railroad property.

(b) The minimum vertical clearance for overhead electric power and communication circuits above the department railroad property and the minimum horizontal and vertical clearances from bridges or from other railroad facilities shall conform to the Wisconsin state electrical code found in ch. PSC 114 , Wis. Adm. Code, and to s. RR 2.14 , Wis. Adm. Code.

(c) Any longitudinal installation or modification of overhead lines on department railroad property shall have single pole construction, unless the department shall approve another construction prior to installation or modification and then only in areas that are more than 40 feet from the nearest rail. Single pole construction with joint use is desirable where more than one utility requires longitudinal installation over the same segment of department railroad property.

(3)   Casing requirements.

(a) Electric power or communication circuits may be installed or modified beneath department railroad property without protective casing. Cable installation shall be by direct burial or small bores. Where soil conditions permit, cable installation may be by boring a hole about the same diameter as the cable and pulling the cable through.

(b) Where an underground circuit crossing is encased in protective casing, the casing shall extend to a minimum of 13 feet from the centerline of the track or, if more than one track is present, from the centerline of the nearest track.

(c) The department may require casing for any circuit having less than the minimum burial depth, located too near the footings of a bridge, or required by an industry or company code or policy or by a public agency code, law or ordinance to be encased.

Cr. Register, December, 1985, No. 360 , eff. 1-1-86; correction in (2) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, December, 1987, No. 384 ; correction in (2) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1996, No. 488 ; am. (1) (a), Register, January, 1999, No. 517 , eff. 2-1-99.