Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way Committee

Mission

Provide education and information raising awareness about utility-related issues and promoting the best use of the public rights-of-way.

A Message from the Chair


About the Committee

It is our responsibility as public works professionals to be the stewards of the rights-of-way to ensure sustainable utilization of the public rights-of-way in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. APWA’s Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way Committee (UPROW) is actively identifying new resources, state-of-the art technology, and innovative approaches to assist managers, users, contractors, and elected officials in the ongoing formulation of public policy and local and state ordinances, as well as identifying best practices for the management of public rights-of-way.

This year UPROW will focus on two main objectives:

  • identifying new resources, state-of-the art technology, and innovative approaches to assist managers, users, contractors, and elected officials in the ongoing formulation of public policy, local and state ordinances
  • identifying best practices for the management of public rights-of-way

Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way Knowledge Team

In an effort to expand volunteer opportunities to those who may be interested in contributing to the Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way Committee, the committee has created a knowledge team. Members of the knowledge team will commit to share information with APWA members through working on projects such as writing articles, presenting Click, Listen, and Learn sessions, speaking at PWX and other conferences and other methods. You can find the knowledge team roster here.

Resources for members

The UPROW Committee has developed the following new resources for members:

APWA Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way Technical Committee
Promotional brochure for printing and sharing.
When Fiber Comes to Town
The American Public Works Association Utilities and Public Rights-of-Way (UPROW) Technical Committee has prepared, with the expectation that others can benefit from the information, this summary of suggestions from communities having experienced rapid fiber deployment. We hope these points help your agency be better prepared to successfully managing your rights-of-way when rapid fiber deployment comes to town.
Small Cell Permitting – A Municipal Perspective: Part I
With the increasing usage of wireless devices and data, municipalities are facing increased demand for reliable wireless service and 5G technology is eager to meet that need. Small cell infrastructure is in the early stages of deployment across the nation to support this wireless network. It’s important to understand the impact of state legislation on a municipality’s ability to manage the right-of-way.
Managing Utility Cuts Tool Box
UPROW performed a review of the publication entitled Managing Utility Cuts (1997) and decided to remove the document from the APWA Store. While the document contains a wealth of information, there is more relevant and current guidance available online. Links to this information are provided in this toolbox.

Access additional UPROW resources >

View committee meeting summaries >