Utility Accommodation & Coordination

Utility Accommodation

Utility accommodation is the process that occurs when utilities are placed within the highway right-of-way. For an accommodation to be granted, the utility owner must apply and have a permit issued to them granting permission to place the utility within the highway right-of-way.

Utilities Within the Highway Rights of Way

As per the Iowa Code section 306.46, utility facilities may be placed within public road right of way. For an accommodation to be granted, the utility owner must apply and have a permit issued to them granting permission to place the utility within the highway right of way. Approval of an accommodation is dependent upon sufficient room within the right of way for the additional utility facilities.

The placement, adjustment and maintenance of utility facilities in, on, above or below the primary highway right-of-way is detailed within the Utility Policy Guidebook. The Transportation Development Division administers this policy based on these considerations:

• Safety of motorists, pedestrians, construction workers, and other highway users.
• Integrity of the highway roadbed/right-of-way and the highway’s intended use and function.
• Protection of the rights of the traveling public.
• Topography and geometric limitations and constraints affecting typical engineering standards.
• Environmental protections, limitations and constraints of surrounding ecosystem.
• Cost to the taxpayers supporting the highway system and the rate payers supporting the utility system.

Policy

Because the citizens of Iowa have come to expect the road system to act as not only a transportation corridor for passengers and freight, but also services, utilities are allowed on the highway right-of-way. As mentioned on our accommodate page, utility companies may place their facilities within public road right-of-way, but they must request to do so through our permitting process.

By placing utilities in the highway right-of-way the utility providers can avoid the purchase of costly utility easements. This savings translates into lower rates to their customers who are also the taxpayers who pay for the highway right of way to begin with. It is simply the most prudent use of the taxpayer’s investment.

Utility Policy Guidebook

The Utility Policy Guidebook contains the current administrative rules governing utility accommodation in the Primary Highway System right-of-way, some illustrative examples of those rules, and additional information/requirements including clear zones, depths, heights, and allowed locations.

Iowa administrative rules, chapter 761-115 (306A)

The current Utility Accommodation and Adjustment Policy of the Department is dated 2012 and is a copy of the rule as noted above. In addition, the policy booklet contains several graphic exhibits to explain various sections of the rule.

Printed copies of the Policy booklet are available by contacting one of the Department's District Offices or by requesting a copy from the Utility Policy Administrator at the following address:

Deanne Popp, utility program director
Transportation Development Division
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-239-1014 or [email protected]