Utility Permits
Per 605 ILCS 5/9 113, IDOT requires a permit when working within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. State route, Illinois state route, or state maintained roadway. A permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work and a copy of the approved permit must be at the work site at all times. Below is the process and resources for applying for a permit for Utility Work in right-of-way (new installations, maintenance of existing utilities and utility relocations; mainly for municipalities and utility companies.)
There are two types of permits (utility and highway) for work with state right-of-way.
Requirements
The Accommodation of Utilities on Right-of-Way Rule, Title 92 provides a guide to what is allowable when the permit application is submitted to our office. This guide is to help determine what is appropriate when it comes to placing utilities on the right-of-way. The most common requests come from municipalities and utility companies requesting to do work on state property.
Make Contact
To determine the IDOT district(s) your project will take place, please utilize the District Map and District Project Support information provided. Requirements may vary by district, therefore, please contact your district office for specific permit requirements.
Apply
Complete a Utility Permit Application (Region One Utility Permit Application) and include a description of proposed work, location map, detailed drawings, plans, and any other pertinent information. Federal, state and district policy and procedural guides are provided in the Reference tab. Submit two copies of the permit request along with all required information to the district office for approval and processing.
IDOT Utility Permit Application Forms:
- Utility Permit Application
- (Region One Only) Region One Utility Permit Application
- Traffic Control Authorization Request
- Road Restriction Information
Next Steps
After the application has been reviewed the district may require a bond, two copies of the bond must be submitted to the district office. The district will inform you of the required bond value.
IDOT Utility Permit Bond Form
IDOT will supply the permittee with a utility permit for execution, and also if required, an attached bond.
Traffic Control
Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule: Safety 3-07 Safety Engineering Policy 3-07 complies with the updated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) work zone regulations at 23 CFR 630 Subpart J. The policy intent is to address safety and mobility issues starting early in project development and continuing through project completion. The goals are focused both on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes in work zones, coupled with minimizing work zone delays for motorists. This policy was developed in coordination with FHWA, affected IDOT bureaus and districts, and local agency representatives.
The health and safety of utility crews working on the right of way and the traveling public in work zones is among our main concerns, and all necessary traffic control should be used (signs, barricades, flaggers, etc.). Complete lists of Highway Traffic Control Standards are available on our Resources tab under Standards.
Message Boards may be required with the Traffic Control Standards to ensure public safety when traffic complexities and hazards arise.
IDOT Reference Material:
- Highway Standards (CADD Files)
- Highway Standards Revision 219
- The Quality Standard for Work Zone Traffic Control Devices
- 2017 Illinois Highway Standards for Traffic Control - general information for traffic control applications
Utility Relocation
The Illinois BDE Manual, Chapter 6 Utility Coordination, provides information on the policies and procedures that should be employed when processing utility adjustments for IDOT highway improvement projects.
BDE Manual Utility Coordination, Chapter 6
Utilize the IDOT Highway Standards to meet IDOT requirements for connections to the state roadway.
- Select Chapter 605 Roads and Bridges
- Select 605 ILCS 5/Illinois Highway Code
- Select Article 9 - General Highway Provisions
Reference
Federal Guidelines
- FHWA National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, and traffic signals.
State Utility Regulation
- JULIE: Illinois law requires all persons digging, regardless of the depth of the project, to call JULIE at 1-800-892-0123 at least 48 hours (two working days) prior to the start of excavation and to begin that excavation project within 14 calendar days from calling JULIE. (The 48 hour notice does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.) Failure to contact JULIE prior to excavation in accordance with the law can carry penalties from $200 up to $5,000 for each separate offense. The Illinois Commerce Commission is the enforcement body for the law, not JULIE.
- JULIE Enforcement: On July 27, 2001 , Governor Ryan signed House Bill 2138 (Public Act 92-0179) revising the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. The Act outlines the responsibilities of underground of utility facility operators and excavators with regard to notifying the State-Wide One-Call Notice System (otherwise known as "JULIE"), marking the underground utility facilities, and excavating near utility facilities. One of the revisions to the Act was to make the ICC responsible for enforcement of violations of the Act.
District Specific Reference Material
- Traffic Control Authorization Request for Utility Work District 2: Used to inform IDOT of project start date, location, emergency telephone numbers and the traffic control standards being used for Utility Work.
- D7 Utility Permit Customer Information Packet: This packet provides information and instructions to utility providers regarding the permitting process in District 7.
Jurisdictional Mapping
Per the Accommodation of Utilities on Right-of-Way, utility work within the right-of-way of state-maintained routes require permitting by the Department. Jurisdictional mapping has been provided to aid utility providers in determining maintenance responsibilities of routes throughout the state.
Significant Routes Map
Significant Routes role is in work zone safety. These statewide map show those state routes where a lane closure on the roadway is expected to cause sustained work zone impacts that are not considered tolerable based on the goals and objectives of this policy or public opinion and, thus, are considered Significant Routes. Roadways marked in red are considered as Significant Routes. Roadways marked in yellow are approaching Significant Route designation and should be evaluated for potential impacts.
Click here to go the the IDOT Significant Route Map.
