About the INDOT Broadband Corridors Program
INDOT Broadband Corridors program was implemented in 2018 and is designed to facilitate, implement, and maintain new avenues for rapid deployment of broadband throughout Indiana by focusing on removing any barriers that may prevent providers from deploying broadband or wireless facilities within the right of way.
Broadband Corridor Mission
The mission of the INDOT Broadband Corridor program is to facilitate a proactive approach to reduce the broadband infrastructure gaps by accelerating the deployment of broadband solutions.
Broadband Corridor Vision
Our vision is to improve access to broadband, increase understanding of its benefits and the expanded usage of its capabilities and to create and develop an application that will improve business, education, health care, economic development, and the quality of life for all Hoosiers.
Designated INDOT Broadband Corridors
The following roads have been designated as a Broadband Corridor:
- All interstates (I-64, I-65, I-69, I-70, I-74, I-80*, I-90*, I-94, I-265, I-465, I-469, I-865)
- US 30
- US 31 North from I-465 to South Bend/Michigan border
- Any toll road, tollway or toll bridge
* For the I-80, I-90 toll road please contact the Indiana Toll Road Concession to apply for a broadband right of way permit.
https://www.in.gov/ifa/indiana-toll-road-lease/indiana-toll-road/
https://www.indianatollroad.org/
Click here to view the INDOT Broadband Corridors map
Broadband Access Permit Subtype Definitions
- New Vertical Structure: Use this permit sub-type when applying to construct a vertical structure designed to support wireless data transmission improvements, and related services in INDOT Right-Of-Way.
- State-Owned Vertical Structure: Use this permit sub-type when applying for the right to place data transmission equipment on existing state-owned structures.
- State Facility: For use when seeking the right to place data transmission equipment on State owned buildings.
- Longitudinal Fiber: For use when seeking the right to install fiber optic cable and conduit in INDOT Right-Of-Way when any part the installation runs approximately parallel to the roadway.
- Transverse Crossing - Underground : For use when seeking the right to install buried or underground fiber optic cable perpendicular to INDOT Right-Of-Way.
- Transverse Crossing - Aerial :For use when seeking the right to install aerial fiber optic cable perpendicular to INDOT Right-Of-Way
- Other: For use when applying for a permit to access a site for the purpose of modification and maintenance of shared use improvements.
Broadband Access Rates
Broadband and wireless (small cell or macro towers) facilities installed within the right of way of a designated broadband corridor will be subject to the following access fee schedule:
Broadband Service Type | Non-Recurring Administrative Fee | Recurring Broadband Access Fee | Broadband Permit Required | Broadband Agreement Required |
Longitudinal Fiber | $1,000.00 | $500.00 per mile annually | Yes | Yes |
Longitudinal Fiber within | $1,000.00 | $581.00 per mile annually | Yes | Yes |
Transverse Fiber Crossing - Buried | $0.00 | $0.00 | Yes | Yes |
Transverse Fiber Crossing - Aerial | $0.00 | $0.00 | Yes | No |
Macro Cell- Urban | $1,000.00 | $2,000.00 per month | Yes | Yes |
Macro Cell- Rural | $1,000.00 | $1,500.00 per month | Yes | Yes |
Small Cell - Existing Pole Attachment | $500.00 for up to five (5) sites, $100.00 for each additional site beyond five (5) | $270.00 per attachment annually | Yes | Yes |
Small Cell - New Pole | $1,000.00 | $270.00 per attachment annually | Yes | Yes |
Broadband Corridor Access Agreement
Broadband Access Agreement will be required for all vertical structures and/or installations of buried fiber optic cable and/or conduit within the designated Broadband Corridors right of way for longitudinal and transverse crossings.
Any aerial installation that spans across a Broadband Corridor will NOT require a Broadband Access Agreement.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Final Ruling
On December 3, 2021, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published the Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Final Rule to Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations Part 645. In this document, FHWA “aim to facilitate the installation of broadband infrastructure.”
The requirements of the State are as outlined below:
- 645.307(a)(1) requires that the State DOT, in consultation with appropriate State agencies, identify a broadband utility coordinator who is responsible for facilitating the infrastructure ROW efforts within the State.
- 645.307(a)(2) requires the State DOT, in consultation with appropriate State agencies, to establish a registration process for broadband infrastructure entities that seek to be included.
645.307(a)(3) requires the State DOT, in consultation with appropriate State agencies, to establish a process for electronically notifying broadband infrastructure entities identified under § 645.307(a)(2), on an annual basis, of the State Transportation Improvement
Program (STIP) and providing other notifications as necessary. FHWA assumes that to comply with this provision, States will create an electronic notification process, update their utility accommodation policies to include this new process, and notify broadband companies of these changes, as discussed in the preamble to the proposed rule. See 85 FR at 49330.
- 645.307(a)(4) requires that the State DOT, in consultation with appropriate State agencies, coordinate initiatives under Section 607 of the MOBILE NOW Act with other statewide telecommunication and broadband plans and State and local transportation and land use plans, including strategies to minimize repeated excavations that involve broadband infrastructure installation in a ROW. FHWA assumes a statewide coordinator will carry out these responsibilities, as discussed in the preamble to the proposed rule. See 85 FR at 49330.
Broadband Infrastructure Coordination & Registration
This program is set up to ensure broadband infrastructure providers are notified of planned highway projects in the hopes that it helps to facilitate the installation of broadband infrastructure throughout the state.
Registration to INDOT’s GovDelivery will ensure that you are provided notice of INDOT’s updated STIP along with any other pertinent updates moving forward. INDOT’s current Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) can be found here.
Register here to receive email notifications regarding INDOTs Broadband Corridors, INDOT Dig Once Program & Broadband Infrastructure Coordination.
INDOT Dig Once Program & Rule
The department (INDOT) is authorized to determine and establish such rules and regulations known as a dig once program for the installation of fiber optic conduit within the limited access highways during specified work conditions. Dig once policies provide ready-made, buried conduits, enabling future providers a more cost effective and efficient method to install fiber by threading it through existing conduits. Installing empty conduit, which is relatively inexpensive during construction projects, supports future expansion by substantially lowering the expense of digging for providers. It allows for fiber optic and conduit placement during significant construction projects. (Indiana Department of Transportation; 105 IAC 16-1-1)
View the INDOT Dig Once Rule by clicking here.
Resource Documents and Helpful Links
- Broadband Corridor Map
- Broadband Permit Guidance
- Broadband Access Policy
- Broadband Corridor Memo for Transverse Crossings Agreement
- Broadband Checklist for Applicants
- Broadband Corridor Memo (5/10/21) Regarding Pricing Changes
- Urban vs. Rural Map
- Consent Form
Used when a design consultant submits a permit application over EPS for a property owner, giving the consultant the right to act on behalf of the property owner. Additional Disclosure Form (State Form 23237, R/3-00)
When additional parties are involved with a permit project, this form is used to acknowledge their involvement. One copy of the Additional Disclosure form is to be notarized and submitted with original signatures.
Contact
Andrew Brelage
Director of Broadband Corridors
abrelage@indot.in.gov
317-646-3655
Shirin Baygani-Vakily
Program Administrator
sbayganivakily@indot.in.gov
317-233-6946