Wyo. Code R. 045-0007-9
Effective Date: 01/25/2005 to 10/25/2005
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 045.0007.9.01252005
Gas Pipelines Transmission and Distribution
Section 1. Design & Construction Provisions. The provisions of Chapters IV and VI as to occupancy of and construction within highway rights-of-way shall apply.
Section 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation the following definitions are used:
Section 3. Specific Provisions.
(a) All Facility Types
(i) Design and construction of all carrier pipe and casing pipe shall be in compliance with the most current provisions of Federal and State laws, rules and regulations, as well as industry standards and the provisions of this regulation.
(ii) Casing of crossing pipelines is not required if the carrier pipe is of heavy wall thickness and the line is cathodically protected.
The heavy wall thickness portion of the line, or casing if used, shall extend at a minimum, to the face of the bore pit to allow for future widening of the roadway.
(iii) Bore and receiving pits shall be located no closer than fifteen (15) feet to the bottom of the roadway embankment or ditch flow line, but no closer than thirty (30) feet from the edge of traveled way to the face of the pit, in order to allow for a continuous clear zone.
(iv) Bore and receiving pits shall not be located in the median strips of divided highways where the median is less than 120 feet wide, unless specifically approved by the Department's engineer due to extenuating circumstances.
(v) Abandoned or incomplete bores shall be backfilled and plugged as directed by the Department's engineer.
(vi) If the minimum depth of cover is not practical due to rock, additional protective measures (i.e., concrete encasement), concrete cap or slab, etc., shall be considered by the applicant and shall be part of the application for the license.
(vii) Pipeline crossings shall be as near to perpendicular to the roadway centerline as practical.
(viii) Vent pipes shall be located as close as possible to the right-of-way line. If their location falls within the clear recovery area, they shall be of a breakaway design.
(ix) Line markers that fall within the clear recovery area shall be of a breakaway design.
(x) If support facilities are located immediately adjacent to the highway right-of-way and require periodic access, an approach and gate shall be applied for at the Department's District office by separate procedure.
(i) Parallel encroachments of transmission lines shall not be allowed within the NO ACCESS line of a fully access controlled interstate highway.
(ii) Parallel encroachments of transmission lines shall not be allowed within the median strips of divided highways.
(iii) Parallel encroachments of transmission lines may be allowed at the discretion of the director or commission if special and unique circumstances exist and if such parallel encroachment does not affect the safe operation, design, construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of the highway.
(iv) When a parallel encroachment is allowed for transmission lines, the line shall be located as close to the highway right-of-way line as possible and no closer to the road bed than 50 feet from the white pavement stripe of the adjacent traveled way.
(v) When a parallel encroachment is allowed, the facility shall be marked with line markers every 1,000 feet as close as practical over the transmission line. A colored tracer tape shall be placed 18 inches above the top of any pipe that falls within the right-of-way.
(vi) Transmission facilities shall not be attached to any bridge or other highway structures.
(vii) Above ground transmission support structures used to cross rivers shall be reviewed and approved by a Wyoming licensed professional engineer.
(viii) The minimum depth of cover for parallel transmission lines shall be 48 inches below natural ground and/or below roadway ditch flow line. The minimum depth cover for parallel facilities closer to the traveled way than the designated 50 feet minimum shall be 72 inches below natural ground and/or below roadway ditch flow line. The minimum depth of cover for all crossing transmission lines shall be 120 inches below natural ground and/or below roadway ditch flow.
(ix) Transmission line support facilities such as storage tanks, compressors, valves, clean-out traps, cathodic protection fields and rectifiers, and similar facilities shall not be allowed inside the highway right-of-way unless extenuating circumstances exist and the proposed location has been specifically approved by the director or commission.
NOTE: If extenuating circumstances or site specific conditions prove that a cathodic protection groundbed must be on highway right-of-way (other than Interstate highways) in order to be effective, such an installation may be approved if sufficient justification is presented by the applicant.
(i) Parallel encroachments of gathering lines shall not be allowed within the highway right-of-way.
The number of gathering lines crossing the highway right-of-way shall be held to a minimum by placing large casing pipes in a few locations and running several gathering lines through them.
(ii) The minimum depth of cover for crossing gathering lines shall be 36 inches below natural ground and/or below roadway ditch flow line.
(iii) Gathering line support facilities such as storage tanks, valves, clean-out traps, compressors, and similar facilities shall not be located on the highway right-of-way.
NOTE: If extenuating circumstances or site specific conditions prove that a cathodic protection groundbed must be on highway right-of-way (other than Interstate highways) in order to be effective, such an installation may be approved if sufficient justification is presented by the applicant.
(i) Distribution systems may be allowed to encroach parallel or cross the highway right-of-way.
(ii) The minimum depth of cover for distribution lines, whether in urban or rural areas, shall be 36 inches below natural ground and/or below roadway ditch flow line.
(iii) Distribution system pressure regulators, whether in huts or vaults as well as metering equipment, shall not be located on highway right-of-way unless extenuating circumstances exist and the proposed location has been specifically approved.