Chapter 12.28 UTILITY CONSTRUCTION

The standard specifications prepared by the Whatcom County engineer for utility construction on county road rights-of-way are adopted and set forth in this chapter. (Res. 79-21).

II. General Provisions

12.28.020 General provisions.

Where utility construction work is located in the traveled portion of a public roadway, the conditions set forth in this article are applicable. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.030 Approval of plans required.

Construction work shall not commence before engineering plans are approved by the county engineer or his authorized representative. A utility permit shall be issued upon the approval. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(1)).

12.28.040 Posting of bond.

Particular situations may necessitate the posting of a bond prior to the issuance of a utility permit, to guarantee maintenance of traffic and/or pavement restoration. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(2)).

12.28.050 Notification.

The engineering division shall be notified at least 24 hours in advance of actual construction. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(3)).

12.28.060 Minimum interference with public travel.

The contractor shall conduct his operations in such a manner so that interference with public travel will be minimized. Proper and safe maintenance of traffic shall be provided as specified in Section 7, of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Standard Specifications or equivalent. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(4)).

12.28.070 Maintenance.

The contractor shall have a motorized rubber wheel road grader on the job site to maintain all streets and roadways in a satisfactory condition as approved by the engineering division after the completion of backfilling. Temporary pavement repairs using hard surfacing (hot or cold mix) shall be required on roads classified major, secondary and collector unless otherwise approved by the county engineer or his representative. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(5)).

12.28.080 Restoration.

Permanent pavement restoration shall be done according to the standard drawing on file in the office of the county engineer. In such cases, where the utility installation leaves less than half width of the existing pavement, the entire pavement shall be removed and replaced. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(6)).

12.28.090 Repair of damaged surfaces.

All other pavement surfaces, damaged as a result of the construction of the utility lines, shall be properly repaired to the satisfaction of the engineering division. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(7)).

12.28.100 Conformance to standards.

The overall construction work and materials for utility installations shall be in conformance with APWA Standard Specifications or the State of Washington Standard Specifications for Bridge and Road Construction. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A(8)).

III. Utility Cuts

12.28.110 Scope.

The standard specifications set forth in this article shall apply to all utility service cuts in road and street rights-of-way. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.120 Definitions.

Permanent pavements are defined as all portland cement concrete, asphalt concrete, portland cement concrete with asphalt overlay, and bituminous surface treatment roads. All road and street classifications (i.e., major, secondary, etc.) are those so designated by the engineering division. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.130 Permit required.

All work in road and street rights-of-way by private contractors shall be done under a utility permit issued by the engineering division of the department of public works. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.140 Notification.

All private contractors shall notify the engineering division 24 hours in advance of the start of actual construction within the road and street rights-of-way. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.150 Hours of work.

Work restrictions may be required during certain hours of the day on all roads and streets. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.160 Boring.

Permanent pavements shall be bored wherever possible unless specific permission is granted for a cut by the county engineer or his representative. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.170 Bedding and backfilling.

Bedding and backfill procedures shall be in conformance with APWA Standard Specifications or the State of Washington Standard Specifications for Bridge and Road Construction. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.180 Trench excavations – Standards.

Trench excavation work shall be done in accordance with American Public Works Association (APWA) Standard Specifications or the State of Washington Standard Specifications for Bridge and Road Construction. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.190 Trench excavations – Requirements.

Trench excavations shall not be left open over night on all roads and streets excepting local residential ones. Also, one travel lane shall be free at all times during construction. Trench excavations left open must be properly barricaded and protected, using lighted barricades. General provisions for maintenance of traffic shall be in accordance with Section 7, of the APWA Standard Specifications, or equivalent. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.200 Temporary pavement repairs.

Temporary pavement repair shall be hard surfacing (hot or cold mix) or steel plates placed over properly placed backfill material. All road and street types may be required to have temporary pavement repairs made at the close of each day if conditions warrant them. In general, major and secondary roads and streets shall have temporary pavement patches. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).

12.28.210 Permanent pavement repairs.

Permanent pavement repairs, as shown in standard trench details plan, on file in the office of the county engineer, shall be completed within 14 days of the start of excavation. Inspection shall be required prior to placement of the PCC spanning slab or prior to placement of the class B paving in cases when the PCC spanning slab is not required. The marginal lines of all patches in permanent pavements shall be trued with the use of a concrete saw or asphalt spade. (Res. 79-21 Ex. A (part)).