§ 123 — Relocation Of Utility Facilities

(a) In this section: (1) The term “cost of relocation” includes the entire amount paid by a utility properly attributable to the relocation of a utility facility, minus any increase in the value of the new facility and any salvage value derived from the old facility. (2) The term “early utility relocation project” means utility relocation activities identified by the State for performance before completion of the environmental review process for the transportation project. (3) The term “environmental review process” has the meaning given the term in section 139(a). (4) The term “transportation project” means a project. (5) The term “utility facility” means any privately, publicly, or cooperatively owned line, facility, or system for producing, transmitting, or distributing communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, crude products, water, steam, waste, stormwater not connected with highway drainage, or any other similar commodity, including any fire or police signal system or street lighting system, that directly or indirectly serves the public. (6) The term “utility relocation activity” means an activity necessary for the relocation of a utility facility, including preliminary and final design, surveys, real property acquisition, materials acquisition, and construction. (1) If a State pays for the cost of relocation of a utility facility necessitated by the construction of a transportation project, Federal funds may be used to reimburse the State for the cost of relocation in the same proportion as Federal funds are expended on the transportation project. (2) Federal funds shall not be used to reimburse a State under this section if the payment to the utility— (A) violates the law of the State; or (B) violates a legal contract between the utility and the State. (3) A reimbursement under paragraph (1) shall be made only if the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State paid the cost of the utility relocation activity from funds of the State with respect to transportation projects for which Federal funds are obligated subsequent to April 16, 1958, for work, including utility relocation activities. (A) In addition to the requirements under paragraphs (1) through (3), a State may carry out, at the expense of the State, an early utility relocation project for a transportation project before completion of the environmental review process for the transportation project. (B) Funds apportioned to a State under this title may be used to pay the costs incurred by the State for an early utility relocation project only if the State demonstrates to the Secretary, and the Secretary finds that— (i) the early utility relocation project is necessary to accommodate a transportation project; (ii) the State provides adequate documentation to the Secretary of eligible costs incurred by the State for the early utility relocation project; (iii) before the commencement of the utility relocation activities, an environmental review process was completed for the early utility relocation project that resulted in a finding that the early utility relocation project— (I) would not result in significant adverse environmental impacts; and (II) would comply with other applicable Federal environmental requirements; (iv) the early utility relocation project did not influence— (I) the environmental review process for the transportation project; (II) the decision relating to the need to construct the transportation project; or (III) the selection of the transportation project design or location; (v) the early utility relocation project complies with all applicable provisions of law, including regulations issued pursuant to this title; (vi) the early utility relocation project follows applicable financial procedures and requirements, including documentation of eligible costs and the requirements under section 109(l), but not including requirements applicable to authorization and obligation of Federal funds; (vii) the transportation project for which the early utility relocation project was necessitated was included in the applicable transportation improvement program under section 134 or 135; (viii) before the cost incurred by a State is approved for Federal participation, environmental compliance pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) has been completed for the transportation project for which the early utility relocation project was necessitated; and (ix) the transportation project that necessitated the utility relocation activity is approved for construction. (C) Nothing in this paragraph affects other eligibility requirements or authorities for Federal participation in payment of costs incurred for utility relocation activities. (c) Nothing in this section affects the applicability of other requirements that would otherwise apply to an early utility relocation project, including any applicable requirements under— (1) section 138; (2) the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.), including regulations under part 24 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); (3) title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.); or (4) an environmental review process.