Application for Wireline 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

This application is used to request permission to install, modify, or maintain a wire line crossing that passes under, over, or along R. J. Corman railroad property. 

Examples include electric utility lines, fiber optic cable, telecommunications facilities, CATV systems, communication lines, and other wire or cable installations. A separate application is required for each individual crossing or occupancy location. All proposed installations must be reviewed and approved before construction begins.

Design and Construction Requirements

All installations must be designed to avoid interference with railroad operations, maintain safety, minimize impacts on existing and future railroad facilities, and meet applicable National Electrical Safety Code, AREMA, and R. J. Corman requirements. Construction may not begin until written approval has been issued by R. J. Corman.

Before You Submit

Required Documents

• Completed application form (below)
• Uploaded engineering drawings showing:
  • Plan view
  • Elevation/section view
  • Location relative to railroad milepost
  • Track location
  • Railroad right-of-way limits
  • Adjacent structures
  • Bore pit locations (if applicable)

Accurate and complete information helps prevent delays during review.

Location Information

You will be asked to provide state, county, city/township, railroad milepost reference, latitude and longitude coordinates, public roadway information (if applicable), crossing angle and dimensions, and relationship of the installation to the railroad right-of-way.

Installation Standards

Underground Installations

R. J. Corman’s preferred installation method beneath railroad tracks is Jack & Bore. All wire lines beneath railroad tracks must be encased. Minimum depth beneath tracks is 5’-6” from the bottom of rail to the top of casing. Minimum ground cover outside tracks is 5’-0”. Boring pits are not permitted on railroad property. Directional drilling is considered a variance request and requires additional review of a separate packet (provided by the Real Estate Department) and fee shown below.

Aerial Installations

Applicants will be required to provide construction details such as pole locations, wire clearances, span lengths, support types, wire height above rail, and clearance above railroad signal and communication facilities. Minimum clearance above railroad tracks is 27 feet.

Application Fees

Standard Application: $2,000 
Directional Drill Review: Additional $2,500 
Expedited Review: Additional $3,000 
Application Revisions: $250 

Additional fees may apply for engineering reviews, inspections, construction oversight, or flagging services. All application fees are non-refundable.

Review Process

After you submit your application, the R. J. Corman Real Estate Department will review the submission for completeness and issue an invoice by email. Payment instructions and available payment options will be provided with the invoice. 

Once payment has been received, R. J. Corman will begin evaluating the proposed installation and associated documentation. 

Typical review time is approximately 30 days for standard applications and approximately 6 days for approved expedited reviews. Projects requiring variances, site visits, specialty reviews, or outside resources may require additional review time. Variances do not qualify for Expedited Review. Review windows DO NOT include notice to proceed or acquiring proper insurance. 

If approved, applicants will receive a permit or license agreement along with instructions for scheduling and project coordination.

If Your Application Is Approved

Approved projects will receive a permit or license agreement. An annual license fee will be required, with fee amounts determined during the review process.

Insurance Requirements

Before work may begin, approved applicants must provide proof of insurance, including Commercial General Liability Insurance and Railroad Protective Liability Insurance. A Certificate of Insurance must be submitted and approved before authorization to begin work will be issued.

• During the continuance of the Agreement, a policy of Public or Commercial Liability Insurance, naming Licensee as insured and covering liability assumed by Licensee and naming Licensor as additional insured. A coverage limit of not less than $1,000,000.00Combined Single Limit per Occurrence for bodily injury liability and property damage liability is required. This should also cover contractual liability during periods of survey, installation and maintenance.
• During the construction phase, a policy of Railroad Protective Liability Insurance naming R.J. Corman Railroad Company as insured with limits of $2,000,000.00 per Occurrence and $6,000,000.00 aggregate. Please note R.J. Corman’s insurance policy does not provide for the option of adding a rider to its policy as a substitute for applicant’s purchase of a policy of Railroad Protective Liability Insurance. Note that Railroad Protective Liability Insurance will require higher limits if your project is near a transit line location.
• Your RJC Agreement number should be included on your certificate. This agreement number will be assigned with application approval.

Entry Permits and Access

Contractors working within the railroad right-of-way may be required to obtain an Entry Permit. Current fees are $650 application fee and $1,250 permit fee.

Flagging Services

If required, railroad flagging services are billed at $1,200 per day based on an 8-hour minimum day. Flagging services provided at short notice or beyond an 8-hour day will incur additional fees.

Important Safety Notice

Do not begin work until you receive a written Notice to Proceed. Entering railroad property without written authorization is trespassing and may result in prosecution.

Contact Information

R. J. Corman Railroad Company 
Real Estate Department 
P.O. Box 788 
101 R. J. Corman Drive 
Nicholasville, KY 40340 
859-881-7521