Drawings, Plans for Relocation and Schedule for Relocation of Utilities along State Highways
Once the owner of the utility is notified and the owner has responded as requested, the department must provide each owner with a set of complete project plans either by providing the owner with a paper copy or a digital copy, by hand delivery or return receipt mail, or by electronic transmission of a digital copy. Digital copies shall be in the format, and subject to such restrictions on use, as the department may specify. T.C.A. § 54-5-854(a).

The utility has 120 calendar days following the receipt of the plans to mark on the plans the approximate location of utilities, any proposed new utilities within the right-of-way, and prepare a plan and a schedule of calendar days to accomplish the proposed new location for utilities. The marked plans and schedule for relocation must be returned to the department in care of the person whose name and address are listed on the project plans.

The commissioner may approve the plans and schedule for relocation, or he/she may direct the utility to relocate facilities in accordance with an approved plan and schedule. The utility bears the cost of all utility inspections. The department will communicate approval or direction to the utility via certified mail.

Relocation under Reservation of Rights
In the event the department and the utility fail to agree on a reasonable plan and schedule, the utility may proceed with the schedule under a reservation of rights notice to the department. The notice should be filed within 10 days of the issuance of a notice to proceed by the department. The notice should contain the utility’s objections to the relocation schedule and should state the reasons for the objections.

Compensation for Additional Relocation or Adjustments
After the utility has completed the relocation and the department requires any additional relocation or adjustment, the department reimburses the utility for the cost incurred. The department gives its contractor and the utility notice of any change in highway construction that would require additional relocation or adjustment, and the utility designates an agreed reasonable time to accomplish the work. In addition, the department reimburses the utility for costs of all materials that have been purchased and cannot be used as a result of the change.

Construction Progress Reports
During the construction phase of the project, the utility furnishes the department with monthly progress reports regarding the status of the relocation of the utility, until its relocation is completed. If the utility regularly reports progress during the course of preconstruction meetings held by the contractor and the department, the progress report requirement is met. The contents of the reports reflect in the minutes of the meeting, and the minutes constitute the monthly progress report, whether or not the meetings are held on a monthly basis. The department’s resident engineer acts as liaison between the owner and the department’s contractor.

Civil Penalties for Non-Compliance
If the utility fails to complete the relocation of utilities within the approved schedule of calendar days, the commissioner has the authority to assess and collect from the utility a civil penalty of $500 for each calendar day after the scheduled completion date that the utility fails to complete the required relocation. If the utility has less than 3,000 customers, it is subject to a civil penalty of $250 per calendar day when the utility fails to complete the relocation of utilities within the approved schedule of calendar days.

Appeal Provisions
The department gives the utility written notice of the intent to assess a civil penalty and the opportunity to appear before the commissioner or his/her designee to show cause why the penalty should not be assessed. Upon findings that a civil penalty should be assessed, the commissioner or his/her designee issues an appropriate order to the utility. If the penalty is not paid within 90 days after entry of the order, the matter is turned over to the attorney general and reporter for collection, and the city is liable for all expenses associated with the enforcement action, including court costs and attorney fees.

Recommendations
MTAS recommends that utilities pay particular attention to proposed construction notices issued by the Tennessee Department of Transportation that may involve utility relocations. Such notices should be reviewed with the utility’s engineer, and their attorney should review the provisions of T.C.A. §§ 54-5-853–854 to ensure that the utility fully complies with the notices of the department of transportation. Public works and utility directors and supervisors should become familiar with the regulations governing the relocation of utilities on a state right-of-way. The utility should request that the commissioner include the relocation of utilities as a project cost to the state when federal highway dollars are being used to fund highway improvements.