AASHTO Specs for Site Clearance on Road Projects

Project Conditions

• Traffic: Minimize interference with adjoining roads, streets, walks, and other adjacent occupied or used facilities during site-clearing operations.

1. Do not close or obstruct streets, walks, or other adjacent occupied or used facilities without permission from the Engineer and authorities having jurisdiction.
2. Provide alternate routes around closed or obstructed traffic ways if required by the Engineer or authorities having jurisdiction.

• Improvements on Adjoining Property: Authority for performing site clearing indicated on property adjoining the Employer’s property will be obtained by the Employer before award of Contract
• Protection of Existing Improvements: Provide protections necessary to prevent damage to existing improvements indicated or directed to remain in place. Restore damaged improvements to their original condition, to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) shall be obtained from the concerned authorities prior to the start of any clearing and grubbing works.
• Do not proceed with work on adjoining property until directed by the Engineer.
• Salvable Improvements: Carefully remove items indicated to be salvaged and store on the Employer premises, where indicated or directed.
• Utility Locator Service: Notify utility locator service for area where Project is located before site clearing.
• Do not commence site clearing operations until temporary erosion- and sedimentation- control and plant-protection measures are in place.
• The following practices are prohibited within protection zones:

1. Storage of construction materials, debris, or excavated material.
2. Parking vehicles or equipment.
3. Foot traffic.
4. Erection of sheds or structures.
5. Impoundment of water.
6. Excavation or other digging unless otherwise indicated.
7. Attachment of signs to or wrapping materials around trees or plants unless otherwise indicated.

• Do not direct vehicle or equipment exhaust towards protection zones.
• Prohibit heat sources, flames, ignition sources, and smoking within or near protection zones.
• Soil Stripping, Handling, and Stockpiling: Perform only when the topsoil is dry or slightly moist.

Execution

Preparation

• Protect and maintain benchmarks and survey control points from disturbance during construction.
• Locate and clearly identify trees, shrubs, and other vegetation to remain or to be relocated. Flag or Wrap a (25-mm) blue vinyl tie tape flag around each tree trunk at 1400 mm above the ground.
• Protect existing structures, utilities, sidewalks, pavements and other facilities on or adjacent to the site, including existing site improvements and features to remain from damage during construction.

1. Promptly repair and restore damaged improvements to their original condition, as acceptable to the Engineer.

Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control

• Provide temporary erosion and sedimentation control measures to prevent soil erosion and discharge of soil-bearing water runoff or airborne dust to adjacent properties and walkways, according to erosion- and sedimentation-control Drawings and requirements of authorities having jurisdiction.
• Verify that flows of water redirected from construction areas or generated by construction activity do not enter or cross protection zones.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair temporary erosion- and sedimentation-control measures during construction until permanent vegetation has been established.
• Remove temporary erosion and sedimentation controls and restore and stabilize areas disturbed during removal.

Tree and Plant Protection

• General: Protect trees and plants remaining on-site according to requirements in Section "Temporary Tree and Plant Protection."
• Repair or replace trees, shrubs, and other vegetation indicated to remain or to be relocated that are damaged by construction operations, in a manner approved by the Engineer.

1. Submit details of proposed repairs.
2. Replace trees and shrubs that cannot, as determined by the Engineer, be repaired and restored to full-growth status

Existing Utilities

• Locate, identify, disconnect, and seal or cap existing utilities indicated to be removed.

1. Arrange with utility companies to shut off indicated utilities.

• Locate, identify, and disconnect utilities indicated to be abandoned in place.
• Interrupting Existing Utilities: Do not interrupt or interfere with utilities serving facilities on the site or on adjoining properties unless permitted by the Engineer under the following conditions and then only after arranging to provide temporary utility services according to requirements indicated:

1. Notify the Engineer not less than three days in advance of proposed utility interruptions.
2. Do not proceed with utility interruptions without the Engineer’s written permission.

• Excavate for and remove underground utilities indicated to be removed.
• Temporarily or permanently re-route or re-locate existing utilities as necessary to facilitate new construction
• Removal of underground utilities is included in earthwork sections and with applicable fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security and utilities sections

Clearing and Grubbing

• Remove obstructions, trees, shrubs, and other vegetation to permit installation of new construction. Removal includes digging out and disposal of stumps and roots.

1. Do not remove trees, shrubs, and other vegetation indicated to remain or to be relocated.
2. Completely remove stumps, roots and other debris.
3. Grind down stumps and remove roots, obstructions, and debris to a depth of (450 mm) below exposed subgrade.
4. Use only hand methods for grubbing within protection zones.
5. Chip removed tree branches and stockpile in areas approved by the Engineer or dispose of off-site.

• Fill depressions caused by clearing and grubbing operations with satisfactory soil material unless further excavation or earthwork is indicated.

1. Place fill material in horizontal layers not exceeding a loose depth of 200 mm, and compact each layer to a density equal to adjacent original ground.

Topsoil Stripping

• Remove sod and grass before stripping topsoil.
• Strip topsoil to depth indicated on Drawings to depth as per the requirement in a manner to prevent intermingling with underlying subsoil or other waste materials.

1. Remove subsoil and non-soil materials from topsoil, including clay lumps, gravel, and other objects more than 50 mm in diameter; trash, debris, weeds, roots, and other waste materials.

• Stockpile topsoil away from edge of excavations without intermixing with subsoil. Grade and shape stockpiles to drain surface water. Cover to prevent windblown dust and erosion by water.

1. Limit height of topsoil stockpiles to 1800 mm.
2. Do not stockpile topsoil within protection zones.
3. Dispose of surplus topsoil. Surplus topsoil is that which exceeds quantity indicated to be stockpiled or reused.
4. Stockpile surplus topsoil to allow for re-spreading deeper topsoil.

Site Improvements

• Remove existing above- and below-grade improvements as indicated and necessary to facilitate new construction.
• Remove slabs, paving, curbs, gutters, and aggregate base as indicated.

1. Unless existing full-depth joints coincide with line of demolition, neatly saw-cut along line of existing pavement to remain before removing adjacent existing pavement. Saw-cut faces vertically.
2. Paint cut ends of steel reinforcement in concrete to remain with two coats of antirust coating, following coating manufacturer's written instructions. Keep paint off surfaces that will remain exposed.

• Remove surplus soil material, unsuitable topsoil, obstructions, demolished materials, and waste materials including trash and debris, and legally dispose of them off the Employer’s property.
• Separate recyclable materials produced during site clearing from other unrecyclable materials. Store or stockpile without intermixing with other materials and transport them to recycling facilities. Do not interfere with other Project work.