Roadway Lighting

Roadway Lighting Permits

Local agencies and utility owners must receive TDOT approval before installing roadway lighting within TDOT right-of-way.

They must obtain approval through TDOT’s utility permit process before any project work begins.

This requirement applies to the following lighting work on state routes, U.S. routes, and interstate facilities:

  • New lighting
  • Lighting relocations
  • Lighting work related to local agency or utility projects

TDOT reviews each roadway lighting permit request to assess the following project impacts and needs:

  • Right-of-way impacts
  • Utility accommodation requirements
  • Roadway safety
  • Traffic control needs
  • Consistency with the TDOT Lighting Design Manual

Permitting Steps:

1. Confirm Maintenance Responsibility

Before submitting a permit request, confirm which local agency or utility will own, operate, and maintain the lighting system after installation. Approval of a lighting permit does not transfer ownership or maintenance responsibility to TDOT.

2. Prepare the Permit Package

Roadway lighting permit documents are available on TDOT’s Utilities - Encroachments & Agreements Documents page.

For roadway lighting, include:

  • Use & Occupancy Permit, Form 2018-01
  • Roadway Lighting, Form 2015-7
  • Cover letter describing the request
  • Lighting plans or CAD drawings showing proposed work in TDOT right-of-way
  • Traffic control information
  • Any other supporting information needed for the location or type of work

3. Include Lighting Design Information

Roadway lighting submittals should include enough information for TDOT to understand the proposed layout, design assumptions, and right-of-way impacts.

At a minimum, include:

  • Roadway geometrics
  • Proposed luminaire locations, including location relative to the roadway
  • Pole type, mounting height, and luminaire spacing
  • Photometric data used for the design
  • Average and minimum horizontal footcandle levels
  • Maintenance factor used in the calculations
  • Luminaire model information including type, distribution, and lumen output
  • Existing lighting at the project limits and intersecting roadways

4. Submit to the Appropriate TDOT Region

Submit the permit package to the TDOT Regional Utility Office for the region where the lighting is proposed. Current regional permit contacts are listed under the Encroachments(Permits) section on TDOT’s Utilities - Encroachments & Agreements Staff page.

 

What TDOT Reviews:

TDOT’s review may include:

  • Whether the proposed work can be permitted within TDOT right-of-way
  • Conflicts with existing utilities, roadway features, structures, or TDOT projects
  • Pole and equipment locations relative to roadway safety features and clear zones
  • Lighting layout and photometric information
  • Traffic control and work zone impacts
  • Special conditions needed for construction, inspection, or maintenance

Applications involving new lighting or conflicts with existing lighting may be coordinated with TDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems and Lighting office during review.

 

After Approval:

Work may not begin until the permit is approved and distributed. The approved permit should be kept on the job site during construction for inspection purposes.

If lane closures, shoulder closures, or rolling roadblocks are needed, coordinate those requests with the Regional Utility Office and TDOT Traffic Operations before work begins.