Electrical Code Compliance in the Right of Way

MnDOT Policy # OE021
Effective: December 19, 2022

Please go to the MnDOT Org Chart to find specific contact information: Org Chart.

Responsible Senior Officer: Deputy Commissioner/Chief Engineer
Policy Owner: Assistant Commissioner - Operations
Policy Contact: Assistant Traffic Engineer, Office of Traffic Engineering

Policy statement

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) shall follow the currently adopted version of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and use Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) listed and labeled equipment when designing, installing, and maintaining electrical and electronic roadside assets except as provided in this policy.

When equipment and wiring methods meeting the requirements of the NEC and NRTL listing requirements are not reasonably available, or are impractical to construct in the field, the MnDOT Office or District shall submit a Request for Evaluation Form to the MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee review.

MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee

The MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee must review Requests for Evaluation and determine whether there is a feasible way to meet the NEC. When there is not a feasible or practical way to fully comply with the NEC, the Committee must evaluate the proposed recommended alternative solutions, analyze risk, come to a consensus, and forward the final recommendations to the MnDOT Electrical Services Section Master of Record for approval. The Committee must prioritize public and employee safety and ensure that each of its recommendations complies with this policy.

The MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum, consist of the following members:

Central Office of Traffic Engineering Representative (chair)
Regional Traffic Management Center Representative
Metro District Traffic Engineer Representative
Greater Minnesota District Traffic Engineer Representative
Metro Electrical Services Section Electrician
Greater Minnesota Electrical Services Section Electrician
Transportation System Management - Traffic Data & Analysis Representative
Electrical Services Section Master of Record

Follow the Electrical Advisory Committee Process to submit Requests for Evaluation.

Reason for policy

Minnesota Rule part 1315.0200 adopts the NEC as the state electrical code. While MnDOT recognizes the electrical code’s importance to public safety, the NEC, including NRTL listing requirements, was not written to address installations or equipment in the trunk highway right of way. This policy establishes the MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee to review, evaluate, and recommend alternative solutions for approval by the Electrical Services Section Master of Record when the committee determines there is not a feasible or practical way to meet the requirements of the electrical code. The committee and the policy ensure that non-standard or unique designs prioritize public and employee safety. Additionally, the policy ensures consistency in the review process, including committee composition and expertise, and in the application of approved solutions.

This policy complies with the Memorandum of Understanding between MnDOT and the Department of Labor and Industry (MnDOT Contract #1051186) (“MOU”).

Applicability

This policy applies to electrical and electronic roadside assets owned and operated by MnDOT and electrical and electronic systems placed in the MnDOT trunk highway right of way by a MnDOT-issued permit.

This policy does not apply to:

Buildings or other facilities that must comply with the State Building Code
Airport Runways
Utilities

All MnDOT employees and third parties involved in the engineering, construction, and maintenance of electrical and electronic systems in the MnDOT trunk highway right of way, including those working on MnDOT or permitted projects, must comply with this policy.

Note: Cities of the First Class, as defined by Minnesota Statutes §410.01, are responsible for electrical systems within their city and may design them to the city’s standards even when the system is within MnDOT trunk highway right of way.

Key stakeholders with responsibilities under this policy include:

MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee
Electrical Services Section Master of Record
Offices and Districts
District Traffic Office
Office of State Aid
Office of Traffic Engineering
Owners of MnDOT Standards, Specifications, Plates, Plans, Approved Products Lists, and Design Manuals

Definitions

Electrical Services Section Master of Record

The master electrician registered by MnDOT with the MN DOLI who is responsible for the performance of electrical work by MnDOT personnel in the trunk highway right of way in accordance with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes §§326B.31 to 326B.399, all rules adopted under these sections, and all orders issued under §326B.082.

Master Electrician

An individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to perform and supervise any electrical work, and who is licensed as a Class A master electrician by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (MN DOLI) (Minn. Stat. §326B.31, subd. 9).

Responsibilities

MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee

Review Request for Evaluation Forms and analyze risk.
Determine whether there is a feasible way to meet the NEC.
Determine whether the proposed alternative ensures electrical safety within the scope of the system’s intended use.
Provide a recommended solution to the Electrical Services Section Master of Record for approval.
Support and provide guidance to the Electrical Services Section Master of Record, as needed.

Electrical Services Section Master of Record

Review the recommended solution of the Electrical Advisory Committee and approve or deny the recommendation.
Obtain approval of the recommended solution from the Department of Labor and Industry, if required by the MOU. Notify the Office of Traffic Engineering and the MnDOT Electrical Advisory Committee of the Department of Labor and Industry’s approval or denial of the solution.
Monitor MnDOT’s compliance with this policy.

Offices and Districts

Be familiar with MnDOT standards, specifications, plates, and plans, the MnDOT Approved Products List, applicable MnDOT design manuals, and previously approved solutions.
When deviating from MnDOT standards, specifications, plates, plans, approved products, design manuals, or previously approved solutions, submit the Request for Evaluation Form and provide supporting documentation as requested.
Comply with the final decision of the Electrical Services Section Master of Record.

District Traffic Office and/or Office of State Aid

Review city or county design work completed through a permit or cooperative construction agreement where the city or county is the lead to ensure that the design complies with this policy.
Submit the Request for Evaluation Form on behalf of the city or county and provide supporting documentation as requested.

Office of Traffic Engineering

Notify requestors of the final solution for their Request for Evaluation.
Document all Requests for Evaluation and the final solution in accordance with the MnDOT Record Retention Schedule.
Develop and manage the MnDOT iHUB page with information about the Electrical Advisory Committee, Requests for Evaluation, and approved solutions.

Owners of MnDOT Standards, Specifications, Plates, Plans, Approved Products Lists, and Design Manuals

Incorporate approved solutions into MnDOT standards, specifications, plates, plans, the MnDOT Approved Products List, and applicable MnDOT design manuals, as appropriate.

Policy Owner (Assistant Commissioner - Operations)

Review the policy every two years, or sooner as necessary, to ensure the policy remains up-to-date.
Ensure processes, forms, and other documents associated with the policy remain current.
Monitor state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements that apply to the policy or procedures.
Consult with the Office of Chief Counsel to ensure the policy and procedures remain compliant with all state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements.
Ensure that necessary approvals by state or federal agencies are obtained before changes to the policy or procedures are implemented.
Work with the Policy Coordinator to revise the policy and/or confirm its accuracy.
Communicate policy revisions, reviews, and retirements to stakeholders.

Resources and related information

Forms

Request for Evaluation Form

Processes, Procedures, and Instructions

Electrical Advisory Committee Process

Resources

Memorandum of Understanding between MnDOT and the Department of Labor and Industry (MnDOT Contract #1051186)
Engineering Solutions for Traffic Safety
MnDOT Signals and Lighting Unit (iHUB)
MN Rule Part 1300.0030: Purpose and Application [of State Building Code]
MN Rule Part 1300.0040: Scope
MN Rule Part 1300.0050: Chapters of Minnesota State Building Code
MN Rule Part 1315.0200: Scope [of Minnesota Electrical Code]
MN Rule Part 3801.3620: Approval of Electrical Equipment
Minnesota Statutes §326B.127 subd. 5: State Building Official – Interpretative Authority
Minnesota Statutes §326B.107: Public Buildings and State-Licensed Facilities
Business Data Catalog (BDC) – accessible from employee Intranet
MnDOT’s Policy Website

MnDOT Policies