No person may lay its pipes or place its wires under the surface of any road or street, or dig up or open the ground in a road or street, until it has obtained a written permit in accordance with section 2503 from the applicable licensing authority. The permit must be signed by the municipal officers or the Department of Transportation and shall specify the roads and streets and the location in the roads or streets where the pipes or wires will be laid. The permit may not affect the right of any party to recover damages for any injury to persons or property by the doings of any person.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]