Who do I call with complaints about utilities?
The Department of Transportation is only responsible for regulating utility companies' use of the public right-of-way; we do not regulate utility company interaction with the public. Contact the Utility Owner to resolve any problems that occur on private property. The Georgia Public Service Commission is the State elected body that has jurisdiction over electric, gas and telecommunications companies' rates. Please refer to their website for more information. Otherwise, for utility concerns within State right-of-way, contact the appropriate District Utilities Office for assistance.
What are the overhead clearance requirements for utilities over roadways?
Refer to the Department’s “Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards Manual” (UAM), current edition, Chapter 5.6.B.2., for the Department's regulations for minimum vertical clearance over roadways. To meet the regulation, the clearance will be calculated by the Utility Company to cover the anticipated sag, loading characteristics, and type of wire at the time the initial facility is installed.
When is the next quarterly utility meeting?
The District Utilities & Railroads Quarterly Meeting dates are located on the Utilities home page via the “Meeting Dates” link under “Resources” (at the bottom of the page).
What is the Utility Agreement Estimate (fka the 10-page estimate) form?
It is the GDOT form used to reimburse eligible utility companies for relocations costs on DOT projects. An editable version is on page 2 of the Documents section on the Preconstruction Program page.
How do I get a permit?
Since July 1, 2006, the Department has required Utility Owners to submit utility permits for all work requested within GDOT owned right-of-way statewide via the Georgia Utility Permitting System (GUPS), an electronic, web-based application for creating and submitting an on-line permit application package to the Department for review and approval. For procedural information related to GUPS, please refer to the documents posted on the Permitting (GUPS) web page.
Why do utilities occupy the public right-of-way?
The Code of Federal Regulations Title 23 Part 645 – Utilities, Subpart B-Accommodation of Utilities, 645.205 Policy, states: "(a) Pursuant to the provisions of 23 CFR 1.23, it is in the public interest for utility facilities to be accommodated on the right-of-way of a Federal-aid or direct Federal highway project when such use and occupancy of the highway right-of-way do not adversely affect highway or traffic safety, or otherwise impair the highway or its aesthetic quality, and do not conflict with the provisions of Federal, State or local laws or regulations.