Pipelines crossing Smith County roads require a county permit

In oil-and-gas country, lines still have to get under roads. In Smith County, a pipeline that crosses a county road right-of-way needs county approval before work starts. The rule can cover oil and gas lines, water lines, and other utility runs.

This can surface when a company needs to reach your acreage, or your neighbor's, and a county road sits in the way. The crossing permit is one of the boxes to check before the trench opens. The current county policy spells out the steps and fees.