Requirements and Policies for Installation and Repair of Utilities in Knox County Right-of-ways
Agencies or companies desiring to make road cuts must apply for a permit from the Knox County Engineering & Public Works Department at least 3 working days prior to desired work date. Applications may be faxed, but must be followed by hard copy. No work will commence without written approval of the Director, Knox County Engineering & Public Works or his designated representative. Permits will be evaluated and returned within 3 working days. Knox County will attempt to arrange a joint on-site meeting the first working day after receiving the application. If the joint meeting is delayed, approval of the permit will be delayed accordingly.
All agencies that routinely perform work in the non-traveled-way portion of the right-of way will apply for and receive an annual permit prior to beginning any work. Annual permits will be renewed on January 5th of each year. Permits are required for belowground and aboveground work. Blank permit applications may be obtained from the Department office, at 205 W. Baxter Ave., Knoxville.
Any time work is performed on or adjacent to any road in Knox County, safety will be the primary consideration. Safety considerations will extend to the travelling public, local bystanders, and work crews. Work crews will strictly adhere to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part VI, Work Zone Safety. Any crew failing to meet these criteria will have their permits revoked immediately until such time as discrepancies are rectified.
Applications will contain:
- Identification and location of project (specific)
- Description of work (drawings may be attached)
- Scope of work
- Alternatives to cutting
- Date of work
- Written permission from other utilities that may be affected.
The following are minimum requirements for operations in the Right-of-way:
- Tennessee-One calls will be made prior to beginning any project to avoid damage to existing facilities.
- All utilities in the right-of-way shall be a minimum of thirty (30) inches deep. When manufacturers' specifications require greater cover, they will supercede the 30" minimum.
- All overhead utilities will be a minimum of 16 feet above the surface.
- All aboveground utilities will be a minimum of four (4) feet from the edge of the traveled way.
- The installer will attempt to bore or jack under all roadways prior to being permitted to cut the surface.
- All cuts in existing road surfaces will be perpendicular to the edge of pavement. Cuts in the roadway will be backfilled with #57 stone, compacted. Repairs to the traveled surface will be a minimum of 4" of binder and 1½" of surface mix. TDOT approved flowable fill may be substituted for #57 stone.
- Lateral cuts in the road surface will be avoided and approved by exception only. Lateral cuts will be backfilled with #57 stone or TDOT approved flowable fill. 4" of binder will be installed in the cut and the entire width of the traveled way, from 20' either side of the cut will be resurfaced with a minimum of 1½ " of surface mix.
- All asphalt patches will be "burned" in. Resurfacing operations will be accomplished with a paving machine.
- All cuts in the shoulder will be a minimum of 2' from the traveled surface. They will be backfilled in 8"lifts, compacted to 95% RC. All work will be dressed, seeded and stabilized (straw or geotextile) within 72 hours of completion of work.
- Knox County Engineering & Public Works will be notified prior to beginning work and upon completion. The Knox County District Supervisor will inspect and approve the work.
- The agency or person securing the permit will guarantee the work for 1 year after acceptance by Knox County. This guarantee will include maintenance and repair labor and materials.
Effective Date: March 1, 1998
Bruce Wuethrich
Director, Knox County
Engineering & Public Works
