Relating to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way

This bill relates to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way. Under current law, the general assembly encourages proactive coordination between the department of transportation (DOT), local governments, utility companies, and other affected parties to minimize costs and avoid relocating utilities during highway construction. Affected parties are invited to participate in development meetings. However, failure to participate during the design phase does not prevent a construction project from moving forward. The bill requires the DOT, upon written request by a utility infrastructure owner, to engage in coordination activities with a utility or transmission line developer to review highway corridors identified in the request for potential locations to place transmission lines. The DOT must share all known plans with affected utility or transmission line developers on planned future projects in the highway corridor if the planned highway project impacts the placement or siting of transmission lines. Under current law, the DOT is required to adopt administrative rules embodying a utility accommodation policy imposing reasonable restrictions on utility line placements on primary road rights-of-way. The bill authorizes longitudinal transmission line installations to be installed on a primary road right-of-way, upon written request by a utility infrastructure owner, unless the DOT determines such an installation would endanger public safety or interfere with the proper function and use of the highway. The DOT must make the reasons for denying the installation of a longitudinal transmission line available to the public within days.