Authority: IC 8-23-2-6; IC 8-23-5-10

Affected: IC 8-23-5

Sec. 10. (a) Utility locations, including the depth of each utility, determined by the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service, to be near the path of the proposed drill, must be identified before any drilling. The utilities and underground fiber must be exposed before any drilling.

(b) The diameter of a drilled hole must conform to the outside diameter of the conduit or conduits as closely as practical. The operator shall pressure grout to fill any voids that develop during the installation operation.

(c) The operator is responsible for removing and replacing any conduit damaged in the directional drilling operations at no additional cost to the department.

(d) The use of water and other fluids in connection with the drilling operation is allowed only as needed to lubricate cuttings. Jetting is not allowed, and the use of water alone as a drilling fluid may not be used. The operator shall use a drilling fluid or slurry consisting of at least ten percent (10%) high grade processed bentonite to consolidate excavated material, seal the walls of the hole, and furnish lubrication for the later removal of material and immediate installation of the conduit.

(e) The operator shall use a means of collecting and containing drilling fluid or slurry that returns to the surface, such as a slurry pit. The following procedures are used:

1. (1) Provide measures to prevent drilling fluids from entering storm sewer systems.
2. (2) Prevent drilling fluid or slurry from accumulating on, or flowing onto, sidewalks, other pedestrian walkways, driveways, or streets.
3. (3) Immediately remove any slurry that is deposited on pedestrian walkways.
4. (4) Transport waste drilling slurry from the site and dispose of it.
5. (5) Protect wetlands from slurry using appropriate soil erosion control measures, as slurry is not allowed to enter wetlands.

(f) A digital walkover locating system must be used to track the drill head during the bore. The locating system must at least be capable of determining the pitch, roll, heading, depth, and horizontal position of the drill head at any point along the bore. During each drilling operation, the drill head must be located every ten (10) feet along the bore and before crossing an underground utility or a structure. After the drilling operation and conduit installation is complete, the operator shall furnish an as-built profile drawing and plan drawing for the drilled conduit, showing the horizontal and vertical locations of the installed conduit.

(g) The following actions on bridges or bridge structures is not allowed:

1. (1) Attachments to any bridge or structure that reduces the under-bridge clearance for vehicles or vessels passing under the bridge or structure.
2. (2) Drilling or welding of the steel girders.
3. (3) Attaching conduit or hangers to the bridge barrier wall or bridge railing.

(Indiana Department of Transportation; 105 IAC 16.5-1-10; filed Jun 20, 2025, 1:31 p.m.: 20250716-IR-105250150FRA)