Chapter 5 - Roadside Safety and Horizontal Clearance

5.6. Horizontal Clearances for Utility Installations

5.6.1. General Guidance

Utility installations are governed by the GDOT Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards Manual (UAPSM). Designers should read and understand the referenced policy, in conjunction with the policies and guidelines set forth in this Manual.

5.6.2. Rural Shoulders

Refer to Table 5.1. for GDOT policies related to horizontal clearances for utility installations on roadways with rural shoulders.

Table 5.1 Horizontal Clearances for Utility Installations: Rural Shoulders
Posted Speeds	Slope Condition	GDOT Policy
< 60 mph	fill section with slopes 4:1 or flatter	Utility obstacles shall be located at least 30-ft. from the edge of traveled way to the face of the obstacle
< 60 mph	fill section with slopes steeper than 4:1	The horizontal distance in which slopes steeper than 4:1 are encountered is not to be considered as ‘traversable and recoverable’. Consult the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide and the UAPSM for full understanding.
> 60 mph	all slope conditions	Utility obstacle shall be located outside the accepted clear zone for the prevailing conditions, or 30-ft., whichever is greater.

 

5.6.3. Urban Shoulders

Utility obstacles shall be positioned as near as possible to the right of way or utility easement.

Utility obstacles should be placed in keeping with the nature and extent of roadside development.

Horizontal clearance for utility obstacles is measured from the face of curb to the face of pole or obstacle.

No utility obstacle shall encroach on current sidewalk clearances required by ADA.

For utility relocation on urban highway projects, it is desirable for the utility offset to be governed by design speed, ADT, etc.  The designer shall conform to the minimum horizontal clearances listed in Table 5.2.

Table 5.2 Horizontal Clearances for Utility Installations: Urban Shoulders
Posted Speeds	Minimum Horizontal Clearance
< 35 mph	6-ft.
> 35 mph and < 45 mph	8-ft.
= 45 mph	12-ft.