>> Bus Shelters and Benches>> Exploratory Survey>> Fencing>> Mail and Newspaper Boxes>> Sidewalks and Landscaping>> Trees on Highway Rights-of-Way>> Utility Permits>> Use of Rights of Way that provide Access to Water
Design plans must accompany the permit application, and shall consist of key-map, general
plan, profile and where necessary, detail plan on the following scales:
- key-map: according to size of undertaking
- general plan: 1:5000
- profile: horizontal 1:5000, vertical 1:250
- details: on suitable scales
For minor undertakings, such as small water pipes or culverts under a road,
sketches will be accepted, including sections and details as to dimensions, depth
of cover, etc.
The plans shall supply at least the following information:
- The boundaries of highway right-of-way affected
- The position of all existing public works within these boundaries. Name the
authority responsible for each public works
- The position of all private works, with names of owners, within these boundaries. Note: Where the proposed development is on or above ground level, you need show only works that are on or above ground level, or that your development may interfere with below ground.
- The proposed position of your works within the right-of-way boundaries
- The details of any structures and appurtenances used to support traffic, including:
- tanks
- manholes
- lamp poles
- surface boxes
- bridges
- culverts
- retaining walls
Show details of the method you propose to support your work, where any public works are affected
- Full information showing exactly how and to what extent you propose
to use any land or works under the control of the Minister of Transportation
- a P.Eng's seal and signature (see Engineer's Seal and Signature)
- a signature block for the Ministry of Transportation
- plan number and date
Submit three copies of the plan if it is larger than 11" x 17".
Include specifications on how you will carry out the work within the boundaries of the highway right-of-way.
3.1.1.1 Bus Shelters and Benches
The Ministry of Transportation allows shelters on the highway right-of-way where a bus stop is permitted, and on the rights-of-way in urban areas, if there is sufficient room for the shelter. Please note that transit companies and service groups are the primary bodies to ask for permits for bus shelters, and not potential advertisers or other individuals.
For information on building bus stops and shelters, go to the Transit Stop Installation Checklist produced by BC Transit.
The bus company or its agent shall build the shelter under permit from the District Manager, Transportation at full cost to the bus company. During construction, the bus company or agent shall be responsible for traffic control and hazard marking of the construction area as specified in the permit. In addition, the bus company is responsible for removal and restoring the roadside area to the satisfaction of the Ministry in cases where the shelter is no longer required.
The bus company or its agent is 100% responsible for the cost of maintenance including the preparation of maintenance agreements for all bus shelters and affected Highway right-of-way to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Transportation. In addition, accessories that may be deemed necessary such as trash containers, newspaper boxes and pay telephones shall be accommodated in the maintenance agreements.
Advertising is allowed on bus shelters but of a type that is not distracting to passing drivers. Advertising on shelters is to be located on far side or downstream of approaching traffic, and maximum size of ad is restricted to 1.2 m x 2.4 m. In addition, a 1.2 m x 0.6 m ad located on the back wall within the shelter will be permitted. Urban Transit Authority advertising standards shall be followed. No reflectorized or internally illuminated signs will be allowed except in built-up urban areas where the Highway is illuminated and the speed limit does not exceed 60 km/h.
Apply for a permit for a bus shelter.
3.1.1.2 Exploratory Survey
The Oil and Gas Industry routinely conducts seismic surveys and other works within the constructed and un-constructed (or un-opened) road allowances.
Any works within highway rights of way need to be undertaken in a careful manner
to ensure no damage is done to the road base or the traveled surface. We want
to be sure that any disturbances to the shoulder, ditches and back slopes
through seismic survey works are restored to the original condition or better.
Seismic Survey
Blanket agreements between the Ministry of Transportation and oil and gas companies are the rule, except for on Controlled Access highways.
The following is a list of conditions that seismic companies should consider carrying out seismic surveys on the right-of-way:
- All work to be done to the satisfaction of the local district development technician.
- Should you disturb or remove survey monuments, a B.C. Land Surveyor will
replace them at your expense.
- All debris, slash and refuse created by these works should be cleaned up to the satisfaction of the district development technician.
- This permit is not valid during spring break up conditions or when the the district development technician feels that conditions are too wet. If there you have any questions about restricted construction seasons, please contact your District Transportation Office prior to construction.
- Please seed the right-of-way to the standards that the district development technician has set out. The seed mixture, quality and rate of application and method are to be consistent with British Columbia Highways Standards.
- You are responsible for the supply of all labour, equipment, materials and seed to ensure adequate grass coverage results.
- You are responsible for all future drainage problems as they pertain to said works.
- Please repair any damage to the roadway by this operation, at your own expense.
- On constructed roads and roads with any traffic, we require traffic control or protection, and it is your responsibility to provide this service.
- All traffic control must meet the regulations as specified in the "Traffic Control Manual for Works on Roadways".
- You will be responsible to notify and gain approval of utility companies
prior to any works. Please use "Dial before you dig" to ensure that you do not disturb or damage
existing underground services as a result of the seismic survey works.
- If ministry staff finds evidence of neglect or abuse of right-of-way, your
permit may be rescinded at anytime.
- DO NOT walk bulldozers or any tracked equipment on road.
- DO NOT damage ends of culverts.
- DO NOT disturb culvert markers.
- This permission is given on the understanding that you ensure that the Ministry cannot be held liable for any actions arising out of the survey.
- Ministry staff can withdraw permission for the survey if he or she feels that the operation is offering an undue traffic hazard, or that it is causing undue damage to the highway, its structure and appurtenances.
These guidelines do not relieve you from complying with the regulations of the Oil and Gas Commission. All applications to conduct a seismic survey in the Province of British Columbia require a permit from the Oil and Gas Commission. They are located at:
#200, 10003-110th Avenue,
Fort St. John, BC V1J 6M7,
Phone No. (250) 261-5700
Apply for a permit for Exploratory Survey.
Monitoring Wells
If you are planning to build a monitoring well to test for methane, pcb and hydrocarbon contamination within the right-of-way, you need a permit for installing works in the right-of-way to do so.
Monitoring wells are frequently placed near old gas stations. Sometimes these wells are placed within the road surface. Have a traffic management plan in place for monitoring. (See Traffic Control for more details.
Once the well has been installed, you may arrange a blanket agreement with the Ministry which covers the provisions for monitoring. Be sure to prepare a Lane Closure Request Form any time you plan to monitor the well contents.
3.1.1.3 Fencing
The Ministry is concerned with the erection and maintenance for fences for
several reasons. The principal reason is to keep livestock and wildlife off
the highway and thus prevent potential accidents.
There are 4 scenarios
where fencing along highway rights-of-way can occur:
-
This term refers to the major provincial and trans-provincial highways. A complete list is available in Section 19-07 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
- Schedule 2 highways
These are secondary highways , cover 6800 km of the BC road system. A complete list is available in Section 19-08 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
- Open range
- Pound districts
The Ministry of Transportation has an agreement with the BC Cattlemen's Association to administer and help fund fence maintenance and improvements on provincial highways.
Program Description
At present, there are approximately 6,800 km of schedule two highways in the province. Many of the fences along these busy highways are over 20 years old and significantly deteriorated. The BC Highways Fencing Program is a solution that increases motorist safety as well as livestock safety. Through this program, you can apply for funding to maintain and repair fences along Schedule 2 highways.
Eligibility
To be eligible, land owners must operate an active livestock operation (not restricted to beef) located adjacent to a numbered highway, along the highway right-of-way and the fencing must be part of a complete containment system. Priority will be given to those areas in most need of repair or reconstruction.
For more information, see the BC Highways Fencing Program website, or call the program coordinator at 1-800-255-0209.
Fence maintenance is the responsibility of the land owner. The fence should
be placed on the property line unless extraordinary conditions require that
the fence be placed within the highway right-of-way. Gates must be
installed so that there is at least 9 metres between the edge of pavement
and the arc of the gate, if the gate opens outwards. The Ministry does not
issue permits for fencing on Section 42 Transportation Act roads because
their jurisdiction is limited to the traveled portion.
Pursuant to Section 13 of the Provincial Public Undertakings Regulation, fencing along the provincial highways must not interfere with sight lines
for motorists. The most common method of clearing a sight line for motorists is to put a corner cut into the fence, as illustrated. Corner cuts must be free of obstructions such as signs, trees or brush.
For more information, read an article titled "What is Schedule 2 Fencing?"
published in the Ministry of Transportation's employee newsletter, Road
Runner, Summer 2005. It starts on Page 33.
Apply for a fencing permit.
Cattle Guards
A cattle guard is a device designed to allow the safe passage of motor
vehicles while safely restricting the passage of range cattle. Typically, a
guard consists of a series of bars or pipes installed flush with the road
surface and placed onto a supporting framework.
They are available for
various loading levels (e.g. highway and off-highway loading). Optional
running strips to improve ride ability may be specified. All cattle guards
accepted by the Ministry must conform to Ministry design specifications.
Approval for any cattle guard will consider the public interest with respect
to the class of road, the volume of traffic, and the design and location of
the installation. The District Transportation Manager consults local
livestock associations before issuing cattle guard permits, as they affect
the control of stock on Crown range and stock movement over public roads.
The applicant may be the land owner or the holder of a valid livestock range
permit seeking a cattle guard for better range management. Permits will not
be issued for cattle guards on Section 42 Transportation Act roads as they
typically extend beyond the traveled portion.
Gates
The ministry does not generally allow gates to be placed across the public
highway. The sole exception is for range management purposes on rural
roads. Usually this occurs in consultation with local livestock
associations and the Range Division. Although there is an on-going problem
with such gates being left open, locked gates are not permitted on public
roads. Please also note that gates adjacent to cattle guards on Section 42
Transportation Act roads are not located within the public right-of-way and
no permits will be issued for these.
3.1.1.4 Mail and Newspaper Boxes
Mail and newspaper boxes should not interfere with the safe functioning of
provincial roads. The BC
Supplement to TAC Geometric Design Guide provides guidelines
for locating Community Mailboxes adjacent to Ministry jurisdiction roadways.
Some basic rules should be used when selecting
a site:
- No Mailbox Pullouts are to be installed on
divided highways and major arterial
highways where access control is exercised
(Freeways, Expressways and Controlled
Access Highways). The more important the
highway, the higher the speed and/or the
traffic volume. Therefore, the greater the
impact a site will have on the operation and
safety of the roadway.
Preference is given to installing community
mailboxes on side roads that access
residential subdivisions.
- In urban areas, where there is pedestrian
traffic, the preferred location is on a street
that has a sidewalk and has sufficient road
width for on street parking. For all locations
that are selected, stopping sight distance
must be met on the roadway adjacent to the
site.
- Particular care is given to sites near an
intersection so as not to interfere with the
safe operation of the intersection. Visibility
of traffic signs and signal should not be
blocked. The site shall not encroach upon
auxiliary right and left turn lanes at
intersections and the sight triangle.
More guidelines for constructing rural mail boxes can be found in Article 15 and Schedule VI of the Mail Receptacles Regulation of the Canada Post Corporation Act.
Apply for a permit for mail or newspaper boxes.
3.1.1.5 Sidewalks and Landscaping
In incorporated areas, municipal bylaws apply to works on the right-of-way.
Completed sidewalks and landscaping become the responsibility of the municipality or other responsible agency to maintain. The Ministry of Transportation is not responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks or landscaping.
Any landscaping or other improvements must leave clear lines of sight, and must not interfere with highway maintenance.
Should a Site Impact Analysis Review require any mitigative measures on roadworks, sidewalks or landscaping, the design must meet Ministry standards. Roadworks may be required. The developer may need to include laning, sidewalks and landscaping. Please consult the Standard Specifications for Highway Construction. Roadworks will be maintained under Ministry of Transportation contracts.
Apply for a permit for sidewalks or landscaping.
3.1.1.6 Trees on Highway Rights-of-Way
The following guidelines apply to non-fee simple Ministry of Transportation rights-of-way only. They do not apply to land held in fee simple title by the British Columbia Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA). In the case of land held by the BCTFA, please contact the Land Management Branch, Partnerships Department of the Ministry of Transportation in Victoria.
Trees within the right-of-way are considered a Crown asset. Cutting timber on the highway right-of-way or on Crown land under control of the Minister requires the consent of the Ministry, and the practice is generally discouraged. However, if the timber is not required for Ministry of Transportation purposes, the Ministry will request the involvement of the Ministry of Forests to dispose of the timber to ensure utilization where possible. The following procedures apply to the disposal of timber:
- Once it is determined that Crown timber must be removed to facilitate the project, the Ministry of Transportation will request the Ministry of Forests, in writing, to commence proceedings in accordance with the Forest Act. The Ministry of Transportation will require the Applicant to provide pertinent plans, details and an appraisal package. This information package will be provided to the Ministry of Forests. Following consultation between the two agencies, the Ministry of Forests will then arrange for the necessary forest agreement.
- Unless exempted by the Regional Director, Forests all fallen timber must be cold-decked in preparation for subsequent disposal by the Ministry of Forests via BC Timber Sales. The Ministry of Forests is responsible for enforcing provisions of the forest agreement for the disposal of Crown timber.
- The Applicant is responsible for marking the right-of-way limits and ensuring that all work complies with the forest agreement issued to the Ministry of Transportation. The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the harvesting provisions of the forest agreement.
3.1.1.7 Utility Permits
Anyone wishing to construct utilities within the provincial highway right-of-way must obtain the approval of the Ministry of Transportation. Utility permits cover the following services and activities:
- Pipelines
- Water and sewer lines
- Overhead or underground power and communication lines
- Wireless communications
- Trenching, boring and jacking
- Installations on or near structures
All construction, relocation, replacement, repair and maintenance of utility
installations in highway right-of-ways or on highway bridges and
structures must be covered by a utility permit or a permit in conjunction
with a systems agreement. In addition, any structure constructed within the right-of-way must not interfere with sight distances for drivers, and must adhere to the breakaway structures specifications found in the Standard Specifications for Highway Construction.
Utility permits are issued by the Ministry District offices.
System Agreements are issued by the Chief Highway Engineer, Headquarters.
Utility permits provide protection:
- to highway systems and structures against damage by utilities
- for highway users against hazards associated with utilities
- by providing an indemnity for the Ministry against liability claims
- for future use of the highway right-of-way
More details on obtaining utility permits are available in the Utility Policy Manual. This is currently being updated, for release in the 2005/6 fiscal year.
Apply for a utility permit.
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3.1.1.8 Use of Rights of Way that provide Access to Water
The ministry operates under the principle that use of these unique areas of right of way must accommodate public use and retain their essential function of access to water. Requests for improvement to these rights of way will be considered on an individual basis. Regulations, other interests, liability and costs to the province will be assessed. It is likely approval of improvements that require significant operation or maintenance cost will only be given to local government or registered organizations.
View the Policy on Use of Rights of Way that provide Access to Water.
Permits for Works on Right-of-Way
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