APPLICATION FOR PIPELINE CROSSING UNDER/OVER RAILROAD PROPERTY AND/OR TRACK

NO WORK CAN BEGIN UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A WRITTEN NOTICE TO PROCEED.

Entering any railroad right of way or other railroad property without the written permission of the railroad is trespassing and illegal. Violators will be prosecuted. Trespassing puts you, our employees and the public at risk of serious, even fatal injury.

Overview

Use this application to request permission to install, modify, maintain, repair, or abandon a pipeline crossing that passes under, over, or along R. J. Corman railroad property.

Pipeline facilities may include water lines, sanitary sewer lines, stormwater systems, natural gas pipelines, petroleum pipelines, chemical pipelines, and other facilities used to transport liquids or gases.

A separate application is required for each crossing or occupancy location. All proposed installations and modifications must be reviewed and approved before construction begins.

Design and Construction Requirements

Pipeline facilities must be designed and constructed so they do not interfere with, interrupt, or endanger railroad operations. Installations should also minimize impacts within the railroad corridor to preserve the railroad's ability to safely operate and expand in the future.

Minimum Requirements

• All pipelines crossing beneath the railroad must be installed within a casing pipe.
• Minimum depth beneath railroad tracks: 5' 5" from the bottom of rail to the top of casing pipe.
• Minimum cover outside the track area: 5'.
• Manholes, catch basins, and headwalls must be located outside railroad property.
• Jack & Bore is the preferred installation method.

Installation Methods

Jack & Bore (Preferred)

• Preferred method for installations beneath railroad tracks.
• Boring pits are not permitted on railroad property.

Open Cut

• Only permitted when approved by the railroad.
• Applicant will be responsible for railroad track restoration costs.

Directional Drilling

• Considered a variance request.
• Subject to additional engineering review and review fees.
• Contact the Real Estate Department for required review documents before submitting your application.

Before You Submit

Required Documents

Upload a drawing that includes:

• Plan view and elevation profile based on a field survey.
• Crossing location relative to the railroad track and milepost.
• Railroad right-of-way width.
• Distances to tracks and nearby structures.
• Bore pit locations (if applicable).

Location Information

You will be asked to provide:

• State, county, and city/township.
• Railroad milepost reference.
• Latitude and longitude coordinates.
• Public roadway information (if applicable).
• Crossing angle.
• Installation dimensions.
• Relationship of the facility to the railroad right-of-way.

Application Fees

• Standard Application: $2,000 (pipelines with casing pipe under 24 inches).
• Directional Drill Review: Additional $2,500.
• Expedited Review: Additional $3,000.
• Application Revisions: $250.

Additional fees may apply for engineering reviews, inspections, variances, construction oversight, railroad flagging, or outside consultant services.

All application fees are non-refundable.

Review Process

Applications should be complete and accurate when submitted. Missing information or incomplete drawings may delay review or result in rejection.

Applications will not be submitted for review until all required application fees have been paid in full. Review timelines begin only after a complete application package and payment have been received.

Standard Review

• Typical review time: approximately 30 days.
• Review time begins after a complete application package and all applicable fees have been received.

Expedited Review

• Additional fee: $3,000.
• Typical review time: approximately 6 business days.
• Review time begins after a complete application package and all applicable fees have been received.
• Variance requests are not eligible for expedited review.

Review timelines do not include:

• Notice-to-proceed requirements.
• Insurance approval.
• Variance approvals.
• Site assessments.
• Reviews by outside agencies or consultants.

The railroad will determine, at its sole discretion, whether additional engineering review, inspections, flagging, or third-party services are required.

If approved, applicants will receive a permit or agreement along with scheduling instructions. Projects requiring railroad flagging should allow at least 30 days' notice for flagman scheduling.

If Your Application Is Approved

License Fees

Approved pipeline occupancies are subject to an annual license fee. The fee amount will be determined during the application review process.

Applicants interested in a one-time payment option in lieu of annual payments should contact the Real Estate Department.

Insurance Requirements

A Certificate of Insurance must be provided before authorization to begin work can be issued.

Commercial General Liability Insurance

• Minimum coverage of $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit per occurrence.
• Must cover bodily injury, property damage, and contractual liability.
• Must name the Licensee as insured.
• Must name the Licensor as additional insured.
• Coverage must remain in effect during survey, installation, and maintenance activities.

Railroad Protective Liability Insurance

• $2,000,000 per occurrence.
• $6,000,000 aggregate.
• Must name R. J. Corman Railroad Company as the insured.
• Projects near transit lines may require higher coverage limits.

Your assigned RJC Agreement Number must be included on all insurance certificates. This number will be provided after application approval.

Entry Permits and Railroad Access

Contractors working within railroad right-of-way may be required to obtain an Entry Permit.

If the Licensee does not assume responsibility for all contractors and subcontractors, each company performing work within the right-of-way must obtain its own permit.

Entry Permit Fees

• Permit Application Fee: $650.
• Permit Fee: $1,250.

For additional information, visit the R. J. Corman Real Estate Services page.

Flagging Services

If required, railroad flagging services are billed at $1,200 per day based on an 8-hour minimum day.

Additional charges may apply for extended work hours, overtime coverage, or short-notice requests. All flagging requirements are determined by the railroad during the review process.