The design criteria for aerial facilities are as follows:

1. (1) Ground-mounted supports for aerial facilities and other appurtenances must be located as near to the right-of-way line as possible and must provide a clear zone in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials "Roadside Design Guide," Fourth Edition. In curb and gutter roadway sections, ground-mounted supports and other appurtenances must be located a minimum of six feet beyond the back side of the curb;
2. (2) Ground-mounted supports or other protruding appurtenances within the clear zone must be constructed with a breakaway feature or be protected in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials "Roadside Design Guide," Fourth Edition, when the speed limit is over thirty miles per hour;
3. (3) Aerial facilities must completely span the highway. If there is a median over eighty feet wide, a supporting structure may be placed in the median if a clear zone can be maintained in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials "Roadside Design Guide," Fourth Edition;
4. (4) The minimum vertical clearance for power and communication lines above the highway and the lateral and vertical clearance from the bridges must conform to the "2023 National Electrical Safety Code";
5. (5) Breakaway supports or guide rails are not required when the support or appurtenance is located beyond deep drainage ditches, approaches, retaining walls, and other protected locations; and

6. (6) In urban areas, a five-foot minimum walkway must be clear to facilitate travel by the visually impaired and the handicapped.

   References: Roadside Design Guide, Fourth Edition, 2011, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Copies may be obtained at https://store.transportation.org/item/collectiondetail/105. Cost $267.

   2023 National Electrical Safety Code, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association. Copies may be obtained at https://store.accuristech.com/ieee/standards/ieee-c2-2023?product_id=2254672. Cost $214.

Source: SL 1975, ch 16, § 1; transferred from § 70:01:08:08, 11 SDR 112, effective February 25, 1985; transferred from § 70:01:08:25, effective November 1, 1986; 13 SDR 129, 13 SDR 134, effective July 1, 1987; 15 SDR 185, effective June 4, 1989 ; 51 SDR 52, effective November 11, 2024 .

General Authority: SDCL 31-26-22 .

Law Implemented: SDCL 31-26-3 , 31-26-5 , 31-26-22 .

Prior versions effective: 1989-06-04.