Announcements

CDOT Utilities Contacts Updated

The CDOT Utilities Roster has been updated. Click on the Program Contacts link on the navigation.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Consultant Contracts

The identification of utility owners and determining the location of their facilities within the boundaries of a highway construction project can be a very complex process - involving the use of specialized equipment and highly trained personnel.

In order to expedite the process and minimize the potential for encountering an unidentified utility while in the construction phase of a project, the State has established contracts with several Subsurface Utility Engineering firms.

CDOT Regional Project Managers, in coordination with Regional Utilities Engineers, are now able to request SUE services on a project-by-project basis. Contact the appropriate Region Utilities Engineer for additional information.

Hazardous Materials Cleanup - Special Use Permit Requirements

Spills on highways should be reported to the Colorado State Patrol 24-hour hotline: 303-239-4501, or, by calling 911. Spills should also be reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's 24-hour Environmental Emergency Spill Reporting Line at 1-877-518-5608, and reported to the CDOT Water Quality Program Manager at 303-757-9343.

For spills that require an emergency response, cleanup of the spill may proceed, under the direction of the emergency responders, without any required coordination with the CDOT Utilities program. While the regional Utilities office should be notified of any spill that will require later follow-up remediation or site restoration, the emergency cleanup of the spill site can proceed without any CDOT Special Use Permit.

However, following the emergency containment and cleanup of a spill, the entity responsible for the cleanup of the spill will need to contact the Regional Utilities Permitting Office with respect to obtaining a Special Use Permit for the final restoration of the site.

Environmental Clearances Information & Contacts

There are instances when a utility company or other entity doing work in the State highway right-of-way will require some type of environmental permit or clearance for that work. The CDOT Utilities Program, working in association with the CDOT Environmental Program and other agencies, has put together an Environmental Clearances Information Summary that people applying for a CDOT Utility Permit or Special Use Permit can use in order to help identify and obtain all required clearances. Click here to download a pdf version of the Environmental Clearances Information Summary.

Worker Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

In keeping with the Department's renewed efforts at improving worker and motorist safety, the CDOT Utilities Program has developed new permit language related to worker safety and Personal Protective Equipment. The following language is now being included in all Utility and Special Use permits as a Special Provision, and will eventually be added to the Department's Permit Standard Provisions.

"All workers within the State Highway right of way shall comply with their employer's safety and health policies/procedures, and all applicable U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations - including, but not limited to the applicable sections of 29 CFR Part 1910 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards and 29 CFR Part 1926 - Safety and Health Regulations for Construction.

Personal protective equipment (e.g. head protection, footwear, high visibility apparel, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, gloves, etc.) shall be worn as appropriate for the work being performed, and as specified in regulation. At a minimum, all workers in the State Highway right of way, except when in their vehicles, shall wear the following personal protective equipment:
· Head protection that complies with the ANSI Z89.1-1997 standard;
· At all construction sites or whenever there is danger of injury to feet, workers shall comply with OSHA's PPE requirements for foot protection per 29 CFR 1910.136, 1926.95, and 1926.96. If required, such footwear shall meet the requirements of ANSI Z41-1999;
· High visibility apparel as specified in the Traffic Control provisions of this permit (at a minimum, ANSI/ISEA 107-1999, Class 2).

Where any of the above-referenced ANSI standards have been revised, the most recent version of the standard shall apply."