857.01 General.
SECTION 857 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MARKING MATERIALS
857.01 General.
The Department has established a list of products approved for use through field tests. These products can be found on List V -3, Temporary Traffic Marking Materials. Information concerning this list is given in Subarticle 106.01(f) and ALDOT -355. The Contractor may choose from any of these products, unless otherwise noted. Although the product durabi lity has been approved, acceptance of the material will still be based on laboratory testing as outlined in List V -3 and the Department's Testing Manual. ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENT MATERIALS
860.01 Seed.
a.Pure Seedings .
1.Testing and Certification . Seeds shall be certified by an Official Seed Certifying Agency. Seeds shall have been tested within nine months prior to use. Each kind of seed shall be separatel y packed and delivered to the project in a seed -tight bag. Each bag shall bear a tag or label bearing the seal of the Official Seed Certifying Agency. The analysis of the seed (% pure seed, % germination, date tested, etc.) shall be attached to each bag. Seed shall be at least 95 % pure seed of the required type. Seed for lespedezas shall have a minimum germination rate of 80 %. Seed for all other species shall have a minimum germination rate of 85 %.
2.Sampling and Verification Testing. Samples of seeds may be taken at any time by the Engineer. Tags or labels that have the analysis of the seeds will be placed with the samples taken by the Engineer. The samples will be stored by the Engineer until a satisfactory stand of grass is obtained. If it is appare nt that germination or other problems exist in the establishment of the ground cover, the samples will be submitted to the Alabama Department of Agriculture for testing.
3.Hulled and Scarified Seeds . Bermudagrass may be either hulled or unhulled as shown in the table of seed mixes. Sericea Lespedeza shall be hulled and scarified. Annual Lespedeza (Kobe), White Dutch Clover, and Reseeding Crimson Clover shall be hulled.
4.Coated Seeds . Coated seeds will not be accepted for planting unless noted otherwise on the plans.
b.Seed Mixes Designated for Areas of Frequent Mowing . Some seed mixes are designated for "AREAS SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING". Areas subject to frequent mowing are roadway shoulders, medians and front slopes flatter than 3:1 extending 60 feet beyond the edge of pavement or to the toe of the front slope whichever is less. All other areas designated for seeding shall be considered to be "AREAS NOT SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING".
c.Planting Zones . The State of Alabama is divided into three planting zones as shown in the following table:
860.01 Seed.
ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 Blount Calhoun Cherokee Clay Cleburne Colbert Cullman Dekalb Etowah Fayette Franklin Jackson Jefferson Lamar Lauderdale Lawrence Limestone Madison Marion Marshall Morgan Randolph Shelby St. Clair Talladega Walker Winston Autauga Bibb Bullock Chambers Chilton Coosa Dallas Elmore Greene Hale Lee Lowndes Macon Montgomery Perry Pickens Russell Sumter Tallapoosa Tuscaloosa Baldwin Barbour Butler Choctaw Clarke Coffee Conecuh Covington Crenshaw Dale Escambia Geneva Henry Houston Marengo Mobile Monroe Pike Washington Wilcox
d.Seed Mixes . Seed mixes shall be mixtures of the types of seeds shown in the following tables. The required weight shown in the chart is the actual seed weight as delivered and takes into account the minimum required percentage of pure seeds and minimum required germination rates. ZONE 1 - AREAS SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING REQUIRED POUNDS PER ACRE {KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE} OF PURE LI VE SEED Date of Planting Aug. 16 to Feb. 29 Mar. 1 to May 15 May 16 to August 15 Annual Ryegrass 10 {11} 25 {28} Hulled Bermudagrass 18 {20} 24 {27} Unhulled Bermudagrass 30 {34} 12 {13} Annual Lespedeza (Kobe) 38 {43} White Dutch Clover 5 {6} 6 {7} Notes 1 2 Required Permanent Plant Bermudagrass
1.During this season Ryegrass, Bermudagrass and Clover are required where vegetation must be established within an area no further than 15 feet {3 m} from the edge of mainline pavement. (This is usually required for short duration work that is done on pav ement resurfacing projects.)
2.Annual Ryegrass is required where vegetation must be established within an area that extends further than 15 feet {3 m} from the edge of mainline pavement. Seeding in stubble for the establishment of permanent vegetation is required during the following month of March. ZONE 1 - AREAS NOT SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING REQUIRED POUNDS PER ACRE {KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE} OF PURE LIVE SEED Date of Planting Jan. 1 to Feb. 29 Mar. 1 to August 15 Aug. 16 to Nov. 15 Nov. 16 to Dec. 31 Annual Ryegrass 15 {17} 15 {17} Hulled Bermudagrass 18 {20} Unhulled Bermudagrass 35 {39} 12 {13} 18 {20} 35 {39} Tall Fescue 35 {39} 35 {39} 35 {39} 35 {39} Weeping Lovegrass 2 {2} Hulled Sericea Lespedeza 38 {43} 38 {43} Unhulled Sericea Lespedeza 38 {43} 38 {43} Reseeding Crimson Clover 29 {33} Required Permanent Plant Mixed
860.01 Seed.
ZONE 2 - AREAS SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING REQUIRED POUNDS PER ACRE {KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE} OF PURE LIVE SEED Date of Planting Aug. 16 to Feb. 29 Mar. 1 to Apr. 15 Apr. 16 to Aug. 15 Annual Ryegrass 10 {11} 25 {28} Hulled Bermudagrass 18 {20} 24 {27} Unhulled Bermudagrass 30 {34} 12 {13} Annual Lespedeza (Kobe) 38 {43} White Dutch Clover 5 {6} 6 {7} Notes 1 2 Required Permanent Plant Bermudagrass
1.During this season Ryegrass, Bermudagrass and Clover are required where vegetation must be established within an area no further than 15 feet {3 m} from the edge of mainline pavement. (This is usually required for short duration work that is done on pavement resurfacing projects.)
2.Annual Ryegrass is required where vegetation must be established within an area that extends further than 15 feet {3 m} from the edge of mainline pavement. Seeding in stubble for the establishment of permanent vegetation is required during the following month of March. ZONE 2 - AREAS NOT SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING REQUIRED POUNDS PER ACRE {KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE} OF PURE LIVE SEED Date of Planting Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 Feb. 16 to Aug. 31 Sept. 1 to Nov. 15 Nov. 16 to Dec. 31 Annual Ryegrass 10 {11} 5 {6} 10 {11} 10 {11} Hulled Bermudagrass 18 {20} 12 {13} Unhulled Bermudagrass 24 {27} 12 {13} 12 {13} 24 {27} Tall Fescue 29 {33} 35 {39} 29 {33} Weeping Lovegrass 2 {2} 2 {2} Annual Lespedeza (Kobe) 50 {56} Reseeding Crimson Clover 29 {33} 29 {33} 29 {33} Pensacola Bahia Grass 29 {33} 29 {33} 29 {33} 29 {33} Required Permanent Plant Mixed
860.02 Grass Sprigs.
ZONE 3 - AREAS SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING REQUIRED POUNDS PER ACRE {KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE} OF PURE LIVE SEED Date of Planting Sept. 1 to Feb. 29 Mar. 1 to Aug. 31 Mar 1. to Aug. 31 Annual Ryegrass 10 {11} 25 {28} Hulled Bermudagrass * 18 {20} Unhulled Bermudagrass 30 {34} 12 {13} 12 {13} Annual Lespedeza (Kobe) 38 {43} 24 {27} Pensacola Bahia Grass 47 {53} Reseeding Crimson Clover 5 {6} Notes 1 2 3 3 Required Permanent Plant Bermudagrass Pensacola Bahia Grass
1.During this season Ryegrass, Bermudagrass and Clover are required where vegetation must be established within an area no further than 15 feet {3 m} from the edge of mainline pavement. (This is usually required for short duration work that is done on pav ement resurfacing projects.)
2.Annual Ryegrass is required where vegetation must be established within an area that extends further than 15 feet {3 m} from the edge of mainline pavement. Seeding in stubble for the establishment of permanent vegetation i s required during the following month of March.
3.Bermudagrass will be required as the permanent plant if it is not shown on the plans that Pensacola Bahia Grass will be required as the permanent plant. ZONE 3 - AREAS NOT SUBJECT TO FREQUENT MOWING REQUIRED POUNDS PER ACRE {KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE} OF PURE LIVE SEED Date of Planting Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 Feb. 16 to Aug. 31 Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 Dec. 1 to Dec. 31 Annual Ryegrass 10 {11} 10 {11} 10 {11} Hulled Bermudagrass 12 {13} 12 {13} Unhulled Bermudagrass 29 {33} 18 {20} 12 {13} 29 {33} Tall Fescue 29 {33} 35 {39} 29 {33} Weeping Lovegrass 2 {2} 2 {2} Annual Lespedeza (Kobe) 50 {56} Reseeding Crimson Clover 29 {33} 29 {33} 29 {33} Pensacola Bahiagrass 29 {33} 24 {27} 29 {33} 29 {33} Required Permanent Plant Mixed
860.02 Grass Sprigs.
a.General . This Article is based on the use of sprigs; however, should the Contractor elect to use plugs of sod, the same basic requirements are applicable except that harvesting shall be in accordance with the provisions of Article 860.05 for solid sod, which in turn shall be cut to proper size (at least 2 inches by 2 inches {50 mm by 50 mm}) by an acceptable procedure before use. Grass sprigs or plugs of sod turfs shal l be common or Tiflawn Bermudagrass, Centipede, Myers Zoysia, Zoysia Matrella, or other perennial running grasses that may be indicated by the plans. All grass shall be native or adaptable to the locality of the work and shall be live, fresh, vigorous, and uninjured at the time of planting and until completion and acceptance of the work. The sprigs shall have well formed and developed root systems and shall be in clusters or tufts at least 1 inch {25 mm} in diameter unless otherwise directed. Sprigs contain ing Johnsongrass, Bahiagrass, Dallasgrass, or other objectionable grasses or weeds will not be accepted.
b.Procuring and Handling Sprigs . Before harvesting, the Engineer shall be notified of the source of sprigs for purposes of inspection. Approval of so urces on such examination shall not be construed as an acceptance of the material.
860.03 Mulching Material.
Unless the grass area has been grazed closely, it shall be mowed to height of 3 inches {75 mm} maximum before harvesting. The sprigs shall be harvested with a sod- cutter, tu rning plow, or other approved implements in such a manner that at least 2 inches {50 mm} of the root system will be lifted intact. Raking and otherwise harvesting sprigs that remain on the surface after digging and have been allowed to dry out, will not be permitted. Solid sod specified in Article 860.05 may be pulled apart and used as sprigs. The properly harvested sprigs shall be loaded within one hour after they are dug then transported to the place where they are to be planted. They shall be kept cool, moist and shaded at all times after digging, while being transported to the sprigging site, after being unloaded, and until planted. Small quantities of sprigs left over at the end of the work day or at time of heavy rains may be stocked in thin covered pi les and may be used the next day or not over three days later, provided sprigs in the pile are still acceptable. The sprigs will be subject to inspection during the planting period, and any material which has been permitted to dry out or to freeze, or whic h is not moist and viable, will be rejected. When large pieces of sprigs are to be broken down into smaller pieces for sprigging, this operation shall be done by hand or by such other means that will avoid severing the roots from the tops of the sprigs. After unloading, accepted sprigs shall be carried to the planting site in moist cloth or burlap bags and kept therein until ready to be dropped into the furrows.
860.03 Mulching Material.
a.Dry Blown Mulch . Dry blown mulch shall be hay or straw applied at rates required in Section 656. Hay shall be native hay or Sudan grass, broom straw, coastal bermudagrass, or other materials approved by the Engineer. Straw shall be threshed straw of oats, wheat, or rye. Mulch materials shall not contain an excessive quantity of matured seeds or noxious weeds or a species which would constitute a menace to the planted species and to surrounding farm land. Mulch shall not be too fresh, or excessively brittle, or so decomposed as to retard growth of grass. The moisture content of the mulch shall not exceed 15 % at the time that the mulch is weighed. Moisture content will be checked as directed by the Engineer. The moisture content of the mulch will be checked in accordance with A LDOT Procedure 240, "Determination of Moisture Content in Mulching Materials". Acceptable Tackifier Adhesives are listed on List II -20, “TACKIFIERS, MULCH CONTROL NETTING, AND HYDRAULIC MULCH PRODUCTS”, of the Department's manual "Materials, Sources, and D evices with Special Acceptance Requirements". Tackifiers shall be used at the manufacturer's recommended rates when chosen for mulch stabilization. Tackifiers shall be harmless to fish, wildlife, and plants, and shall be non -toxic and non -combustible as do cumented through Material Safety Data Sheets and a 7 day chronic Ceriodaphnia reproduction test report. Asphalt adhesives are not acceptable for use. Acceptable Mulch Control Netting products are listed on List II -20, “TACKIFIERS, MULCH CONTROL NETTING, AN D HYDRAULIC MULCH PRODUCTS”, of the Department's manual "Materials, Sources, and Devices with Special Acceptance Requirements". Mulch Control Netting shall be 100% biodegradable, be of a uniform, open, plain weave and meet the following requirements: • Minim um Mass per Unit Area of 9 ounces per square yard (ASTM D 5261) • Minimum Tensile Strength (Machine Direction, Dry) of 300 pounds per foot (ASTM D 4595) • Minimum Tensile Strength (Transverse Direction, Dry) of 125 pounds per foot (ASTM D 4595) • Minimum 50% Ope n Area as determined by physical measurement.
b.Hydraulic Mulch Products . Hydraulic Mulch Products shall consist of natural fibers with or without tackifier adhesives and/or binding agents. It shall be processed in such a manner that it will contain no g rowth or germination inhibiting factors and shall be dyed an appropriate color to facilitate a uniform spread of the slope by visual inspection. It shall be manufactured in such a manner that after addition and agitation in slurry tanks with soil amendments, the fibers in the material will become uniformly suspended to form a homogeneous slurry; and that when hydraulically sprayed on the ground, the material will form a ground cover; and which after application will allow the absorption of moisture and allo w rainfall or mechanical watering to percolate to the underlying soil. Hydraulic Mulch Products shall have a maximum RUSLE Cover Factor (C -Factor) of 0.20 defined as the ratio of the soil loss from a slope protected by the product to the soil loss from an unprotected or
860.05 Solid Sod.
bare soil slope. At a minimum, one slope test replicate of ASTM D 6459 -07 shall be conducted at an independent laboratory accredited by the Geosynthetic Institute’s, Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute’s -Laboratory Accreditation Program (GA I-LAP) for this test. The Hydraulic Mulch Product shall have a minimum 200 % Vegetation Enhancement compared to the control and shall be measured in accordance with the requirements given in ASTM D 7322. Acceptable Hydraulic Mulch Products are listed on Li st II- 20, “TACKIFIERS, MULCH CONTROL NETTING, AND HYDRAULIC MULCH PRODUCTS”, of the Department’s manual "Materials, Sources, and Devices with Special Acceptance Requirements". All packaging of the mulch shall be clearly marked with the lot or batch number, material specifications, and application recommendations. Weight {mass} specifications of this material shall refer only to air dry weight {mass} of the fiber material.
860.04 Grassy Mulch Material.
a.General . Grassy mulch shall be obtained from the sources of the Contractor's selection and meeting the approval of the Engineer. The Contractor shall furnish such material and construct and maintain hauling roads necessary for obtaining the material, all without extra compensation. The grass contained in the grassy mulch material shall be live growing grass as provided in Article
860.02 and shall be procured from areas where the soil is fertile as indicated by vigorous growth. The
grass shall have a healthy virile root system of dense, thickly matted root s. It shall be reasonably free from obnoxious weeds or other grasses, and shall not contain any matter deleterious to its growth or which might affect its subsistence or hardiness when transplanted. The soil part of the mulch shall be the topsoil in which grass is growing and may include the 2 inches {50 mm} immediately underlying the root system provided it is identical topsoil and no part of the less friable subsoil is taken.
b.Harvesting and Handling Grassy Mulch .
1.Harvesting Operations . Grassy mulch shall be taken only from an approved source. The grassy mulch shall be procured only when the soil is in a moist, friable condition. During extremely dry periods it may be necessary to water the areas from which mulch is to be taken. Previous to any other manipulations, these areas shall be grubbed clear of any bushes or stubs and closely mowed and raked to remove all weeds and long standing stems. The material thus cleaned from the sites shall be burned. Such cleaning is deemed a necessary part of this It em and not considered under the Item of "Clearing and Grubbing." If directed, this operation may be omitted if the grass is sufficiently short and the area satisfactorily cleared of obstructions. After grubbing, mowing and raking, and sprinkling, if considered necessary, the grass shall be disced until the sod has been well mangled and the topsoil loosened to the depth it is to be taken. After discing, the grassy mulch shall be cast into windrows by an approved tractor -drawn or motor- powered blade grader.
2.Loading . The well mixed topsoil and grass roots shall be loaded into trucks by hand shovels, power shovels, drag lines, or other mechanical loading devices. No grassy mulch shall be loaded which has been disced, but not windrowed, more than six hours or which has been windrowed more than 24 hours unless the loading operations have been interrupted by rain in sufficient quantity to wet the grassy mulch and make work impracticable. Loading shall be resumed as soon as practicable after such rain ceases. All material windrowed prior to such rain shall be loaded and placed within 24 hours after such rain ceases. In no case shall grassy mulch be used in which the grass has soured, mildewed or started to decay.
860.05 Solid Sod.
a.General . Solid sod shall be obtained from sources of the Contractor's selection meeting with the approval of the Engineer. The Contractor, without extra compensation, shall furnish such material and construct and maintain hauling roads necessary for obtaining the material. The sod sh all be of common Tiflawn Bermudagrass, Centipede, Myers Zoysia, Zoysia Matrella, or other approved types of native or adaptable grasses, suitable for growing in the locality of the work.
860.06 Vines, Shrubs and Trees.
b.Procuring and Handling Sod .
1.General . All sod shall be procured from areas where the soil is fertile and contains a high percentage of loamy topsoil and where the grass is well rooted and full grown and from areas that have been grazed or mowed sufficiently to form a dense turf. (Approximately 2 inches {50 mm} in height at the time of lifting). The soil shall be free from obnoxious weeds or other grasses and shall not contain any matter deleterious to its growth. Solid sodding shall be living or seasonally dormant during the cold or dry season and have an established root system capable of continued growth. Solid sodding grown with a geotextile backing is acceptable for use at the Contractor’s option with no additional compensation. Solid sodding used in channel applications shall be rolled sod.
2.Harvesting . Mechanical devices, such as sod cutters, may be used for cutting the sod into strips, blocks or rolls at least 12 inches {300 mm} wide, except when sod strips are specified, then they shall be at least 3 inches {75 mm} wide. Depth of sod cu tting shall be such that approximately 3/4 of an inch {19 mm} of soil is removed with the turf. Care shall be exercised at all times to retain the native soil on the roots of the sod during the process of excavating, hauling, and planting.
3.Handling . Sections of sod shall be cut away below the root line and shall be lifted and loaded in such a manner that no tearing or breaking will occur, and unloaded by hand or approved mechanical method. Dumping from vehicles will not be permitted. All broken or dried sod shall be rejected and removed from the job.
4.Control. The sod shall, in general, be transplanted within three days from the time it is harvested. However, if held in temporary storage, the sod shall be spread in a shady location with the grass side up. The sod shall be sprinkled with water when and as directed. If required, it shall be covered with moist burlap, straw, or other acceptable material. Any sod permitted by the Contractor to dry out may be rejected whenever, in the judgment of the Engineer , its survival, after placing, shall have been rendered doubtful and no payment for such sod shall be made. In no event shall more than 10 days elapse between the cutting and planting of the sod. Prior to permitting sod planting, the Engineer will inspect the sod stacks for retention of native soil. Such may be accomplished by measuring the stack height and determining the average layer thickness (3/4 of an inch {19 mm} minimum).
860.06 Vines, Shrubs and Trees.
a.General .
1.The scientific and common names of plants shall be in conformity with the approved names in "Standardized Plant Names" (current edition) prepared by the American Joint Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature.
2.Plants shall be i n accordance with the American Standards for Nursery Stock (current edition), except as provided on the plans. All plants shall have normal habit of growth and shall be typically characteristic of the particular variety and species. All plants shall confor m to the measurements provided, which are the minimum acceptable sizes. They shall be measured before pruning with branches in normal position. When a minimum and maximum size is provided, an average size is required. Deciduous trees shall be measured by a pproved calipers. Plants which hare been cut back from larger grades to meet these Specifications will not be acceptable. Plants shall be nursery grown and shall bear evidence of proper top and root pruning unless otherwise provided. No cold storage plants will be accepted. Plants shall have been growing for a period of at least one year under the same climatic conditions as exist at the location to be planted. Where the Specifications or plans permit, planting stock which has been collected, such stock sha ll be clean, sound stock free from decayed or decaying stumps and from fire injury.
3.For purpose of inspection, the Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer 48 hours in advance of the delivery of plant material. The Contractor shall be responsible fo r all certificates of inspection of plant materials that may be required by Federal, State or other authority to accompany shipments of plants. All plants shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Engineer at any place and at any time. Plants may be inspected where growing, but approval at place of growth shall not preclude the right of subsequent rejection of plants not fully meeting the requirements of the Specifications. After the award is made, the Engineer reserves the right to place Departmen t seals on any and all materials
860.06 Vines, Shrubs and Tre es.
selected, but such tagging and approval shall cover the type and body quality of the plant only, but not final acceptance. The removal and replacement of rejected plants shall be effected by the Contractor in compliance wit h the Specifications and shall be without extra compensation.
4.Plants and plant qualities other than those named in the Specifications will be accepted only if approved.
5.Legible labels shall be attached to all separate plants or boxes, bundles, bales, or other containers, indicating the name, size, age, or other necessary detailed information and the quantity contained in the individual bundles, boxes or bales.
b.Planting Limitations . Normal planting season for vines, shrubs, and trees is between Dec ember 1 and February 15 and the Contractor shall make every effort to accomplish the planting during this period. Should, however, the contract time be such that plants cannot be placed during this period, the Engineer shall direct the placement of the pla nts at the earliest possible time the plant areas can be made available. Under conditions that require or if the Contractor elects to place the plants out of the normal planting season, all plants shall be container grown or pre- cured and planted in accordance with the following: Container Grown. Container grown plants shall have been grown in its container for a minimum of eight months. After plants are moved to their permanent location, they shall be watered in as specified, mulched, etc. Syringing down o f the leaf areas shall be performed as necessary to prevent wilting, dehydration, and excessive shedding of new or old growth. This will require a period of thirty days or longer to assure that a given plant has been successfully transplanted. Pre-Cured. Pre-curing of plants is a technique that allows the planting of balled or burlap plant materials during period other than in the dormant period of planting season specified. The following procedure shall generally be followed to precure or hardening off a plant.
1.Specified plants shall be dug and placed unpruned in a lath or green house.
2.The ball shall be covered with well rotted sawdust.
3.Humidity shall be maintained to such a degree that wilting or dehydration does not occur.
4.Spray nozzles shall be of mist type, connected to suitable interrupter devices if necessary, so that water logging of the plant balls does not occur.
5.After root hairs have formed, as evidenced by their emergence through the burlap, and with new and old top gr owth in a health, turgid condition, the plants shall be transplanted to their permanent location.
6.This pre -curing period shall be a minimum of thirty days.
7.Leaf drop or defoliation shall be limited to one -fourth the total leaves.
8.After plants are moved to their permanent location, they shall be watered, mulched, etc. Syringing down of the leaf areas shall be performed as necessary to prevent wilting, dehydration, and excessive shedding of new or old growth. This will require a period of 30 days or longer to assure that a given plant has been successfully transplanted. Any plantings accomplished outside of the normal planting season shall be inspected regularly and any plant found defective shall be removed and immediately replaced with the same size and kind in the same manner as originally provided. Any additional cost involved in planting out of season due either to the Contractor's inability to schedule his work properly or contract time requirements shall be considered incidental to the work and no additional compensation will be allowed. Planting will not be permitted during periods when the ground is frozen.
c.Digging and Transportation.
1.All plants shall be dug with reasonable care and skill immediately before shipping, avoiding all possibl e injury to, or loss of roots. Plants shall be of the size, and with balls or roots spread, as shown on the plans. After plants are dug, their roots shall not be permitted to dry out, and they shall not be exposed to artificial heat or freezing temperatures.
2.During transportation, all plants shall be packed or protected in such a manner as to insure adequate protection from sun, wind, and climatic or seasonal injuries. All bare -root plants shall have their roots carefully protected by wet straw, moss, or other suitable material. Tarpaulins or other covers shall be placed over plants when transported by truck or in an open freight car. Shipments made
860.06 Vines, Shrubs and Trees.
in box cars shall be adequately ventilated to prevent sweating. The head of each tree shall be tied in carefully to prevent fracturing or cracking the branches.
3.Previous to shipment and after delivery to the project, all plants shall be properly protected. Bare- root plants shall be heeled -in in trenches with the bundles opened and the plants spaced separatel y and all roots covered. Balled and burlapped, and balled and platformed plants, shall have their earth balls protected by earth or wet cloth or straw. Where possible all plants shall be stored in a well -ventilated and shaded place and protected from wind and sun.
d.Trees .
1.Trees shall be of the size and kind designated by the plans, have a straight trunk with a well-branched, symmetrical top, and with leader intact. Trees shall have no fresh cuts of limbs over 3/4 of an inch {19 mm} which have not comp letely calloused over, no cut back trees, and no abrasions of the bark. Trees must be free from insect and disease injury. Trees injured in transit or delivered in an unsatisfactory manner will be rejected. Trees must have good fibrous root systems. All ro ot cuts must be cleanly cut.
2.At the time of digging, bare -root trees (B.R.) must be puddled in a clay solution of proper consistency to coat and adhere to all parts of the root system. Any tree may be supplied balled and burlapped instead of bare -root a t the unit price bid.
3.Balled and burlapped trees (B & B) shall be adequately balled with firm, natural balls of sufficient size to insure the growth of the plants or cut to size shown on the plans. Balls shall be firmly wrapped with burlap or other approved strong cloth and firmly tied with rope or other satisfactory material. No balled plant will be acceptable if cracked or broken before or during the process of planting, and no plant will be acceptable which is handled by the plant itself and not by th e ball. All fibrous and pliable roots encountered in trenching around the ball shall be cut off flush with the outer side of the trench, the ground in the trench loosened with spading fork, and the flexible roots shall be immediately wrapped in burlap, mos s, or straw and bound against the side of the ball. Only stiff roots may be cut off flush with the ball. The ball of earth for each tree shall be of sufficient depth to include all lateral roots.
4.Balled and platformed trees (B & P) shall be balled as provided for balled and burlapped trees. Platforms shall be square or octagonal shaped in a size slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom of the soil weight {mass}, inserted under each ball and securely lashed to the ball by means of ties from the pla tform corners to the rope collar on top of the ball.
e.Shrubs . Shrubs shall be of the size and kind designated by the plans. Bare -root shrubs shall have good fibrous root systems. Balled and burlapped shrubs shall be vigorous, well furnished plants of un iform quality and must have fibrous root systems. Plants provided as sods or clumps shall be collected from good soil which has produced a fibrous root system typical of the nature of the plant. The sods shall be dug with earth and incidental vegetation ad hering to the roots. If the soil or habit of the root growth is such that the roots are not adequately protected, the sods shall be wrapped in burlap or other suitable material.
f.Vines and Perennials . Vines and perennials shall be of the size and kind designated by the plans. Bare -root vines shall be vigorous, well furnished plants with good vigorous root systems, puddled before delivery or otherwise protected by an acceptable method. Pot -grown plants (P.G.) shall be vigorous well -developed plants, well established in pots with sufficient roots to hold the earth together intact after removal from containers and at the same time not to be root -bound. Upon permission of the Engineer due to lateness of planting in the spring season causing a hold -over of the planting of vines to the next season, the Contractor may furnish and plant potted plants of the kinds of vines designated as bare- root, provided the potted plants are at least one year old, the pots 2.5 inches {63 mm} minimum diameter, and two plants for the one ordered are furnished and planted in the same pocket holes or beds as specified. The two plants will be paid for at the unit price for one plant. Balled and burlapped vines shall be vigorous, well -developed plants. Perennials shall be field grown u nless otherwise provided.
g.Pine Seedlings . Pine seedlings shall be Loblolly Pine for the North Alabama Planting Zone and Slash Pine in South Alabama Planting Zone, unless otherwise shown on the plans or in the proposal. Seedlings shall be approximately one year old and 6 to 12 inches {150 to 300 mm} high, except that any longleaf seedlings shall be root pruned and needle clipped.
860.10 Miscellaneous Materials For General Planting Operations.
Pine seedlings that are shipped in bales shall be protected from the sun, wind, and freezing weather at all times before plant ing. The bales shall be stacked loosely to permit free circulation of air and not more than two bales high. They shall be watered on arrival and every two days thereafter, or as directed. Seedlings from damaged or broken bales shall be "heeled in" by cutti ng V-bottom trenches approximately 6 inches {150 mm} deep, spreading the pines along the trench with the roots down. Roots shall be covered with fine soil, leaving the tops exposed. Seedlings shall be watered frequently enough to keep the soil moist.
860.07 Seed Inoculating Material.
Inoculating materials as required for coating certain legume seed immediately before sowing shall be an approved commercial culture manufactured by a reputable concern and of the culture group appropriate for the kind of s eed to be treated. The material as received on the work shall be fresh stock designated for the current season, packaged and sealed to protect bacteria and insure against moisture loss.
860.08 Plant Topsoil (Topsoil For Backfilling Plant Pits).
Plant topso il shall be composed of four parts of soil containing not more than 35% clay and not less than 15% nor more than 75% sand, one part mulching material (as defined in Subarticle 860.03(c), 8 pounds {4 kg} of 8- 8-8 Commercial Fertilizer, and 5 pounds {2 kg} o f agriculture limestone per cubic yard {cubic meter} (mineral additive may be adjusted to fit soil test results). In lieu of the off -site topsoil noted above, with the approval of the Engineer, material from the plant pit modified with mineral additives as directed may be used.
860.09 Tree Root Protection Material.
The material for root protection shall be aggregate of approved quality, suitably graded from 3/8 to 5 inches {9 to 125 mm} in size. The material may be any suitable aggregate broken to suitable size, or may be gravel, crushed stone, slag, or broken concrete.
860.10 Miscellaneous Materials For General Planting Operations.
a.Bracing and Anchor Stakes . Bracing stakes shall be of southern yellow pine or other approved wood, sized in accordance with plan requirements. Stakes shall have a minimum allowable deflection of ten percent. All stakes shall be free from insects and fungi. Anchor stakes or deadmen shall be of the quality and sizes required for the operations calling for their use.
b.Wire and Bracing Materials . Wire shall be galvanized steel or aluminum, No. 9, No. 10, or No. 12, A.S.&W. gage as specified. The size and quality of cables, turnbuckles, thimbles, lag hooks, eye bolts, rods, washers, and nuts shall be as approved.
c.Paper and Tw ine. Wrapping paper for trees shall be krinkle- kraft or equal, waterproof paper, 30 -30-30, in 4 inch {100 mm} strips. The tying material to be used in wrapping trees shall be jute twine not less than two ply for trees 3 inches {75 mm} or less in diameter, and three ply for trees over 3 inches {75 mm} in diameter.
d.Tree Paint . Paint used for tree wounds shall be approved antiseptic, waterproof, adhesive, and elastic, such as asphaltum water emulsion, gutta percha, and certain oils with a fungicide and wh ich remains tacky for four hours and retains elasticity after setting when tested under the heat of the hand. It shall not contain kerosene, coal tar, creosote, or other material harmful to cambium or living tissue.
e.Wire Protective Hose . Hose shall be 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 of an inch {13, 16, or 19 mm} in diameter, suitable for the purpose intended, or other approved material (hose may be second -handed).
f.Burlap . Burlap shall have a weight {mass} of at least 8 ounces per square yard {0.27 kg/m²}.
g.Drain Tile Pipe . Drain tile pipe shall meet the requirements of Section 853. The diameter of the tile shall be 6 inches {150 mm} unless otherwise specified on the plans.
860.11 Rolled and Hydraulic Erosion Control Products.
860.11 Rolled and Hydraulic Erosion Control Products.
a.Types of Erosion Control Products .
1.Temporary Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs). Temporary RECPs shall be composed of photodegradable or biodegradable mesh, netting fibers, yarns or twines. Components shall be mechanically i nterlocked or chemically bonded together to form a continuous matrix of material.
2.Temporary Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (HECPs). Temporary HECPs shall be composed of photodegradable or biodegradable natural or polymer fibers that chemically bond together and form a continuous matrix of material.
3.Permanent Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs). Permanent RECPs shall be turf reinforcement mats and shall have sufficient thickness, strength and void space for permanent erosion pro tection. Permanent RECPs shall have a minimum UV Stability of 80% retention of tensile strength at 500 hours of exposure measured in accordance with the requirements given in ASTM D 4355 “Standard Test Method for Deterioration of Geotextiles by Exposure t o Light, Moisture and Heat in a Xenon Arc Type Apparatus”.
b.Required Performance of Erosion Control Products . The types of erosion control products and the performance requirements for each product are given in the following table. PERFORMANCE REQUIR EMENTS OF EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS Product Application ECP Type Maximum Allowable C-Factor1 Minimum Shear Stress Capacity2 (Pounds per Square Foot) Minimum Vegetation Enhancement3 Slope S4 0.10 - 200 % S3 0.05 - S2 0.01 - S1 0.005 - Channel C2 - 2.0 200 % C4 - 4.0 C6 - 6.0 C8 - 8.0 C10 - 10.0 NOTE 1 : The C -Factor shall be measured in accordance with the requirements given in ASTM D 6459 - 07 “Standard Test Method for Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall -Induced Erosion”. The C -Factor is the cover factor as commonly used in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation and is defined as the ratio of the soil loss from a slope protected by the ECP to the soil loss from an unprotected or bare soil slope, as reported by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, National Transportation Product Evaluation Program, Erosion Control Products (AASHTO NTPEP). NOTE 2: The Shear Stress C apacity of an ECP shall be measured in accordance with the requirements given in ASTM D 6460 -07 “Standard Test Method for Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Earthen Channels from Stormwater- Induced Erosion”. The Shear Stress Capacity is defined as the limiting shear stress which causes an average of 0.5 inch of soil loss over the entire channel bottom, as reported by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, National Transportation Product Evaluation Program, Erosion Control Products (AASHTO NTPEP). Temporary products shall at a minimum be tested under unvegetated conditions. Permanent products shall be tested under vegetated conditions. NOTE 3: The Vegetation Enhancement of an ECP is defined as the percentage of vegetation improvement compared to the control. The Vegetation Enhancement of an ECP shall be measured in accordance with the requirements given in ASTM D 7322 “Determination of Temporary Degradable Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) in Encouraging Seed Germination and Plant Growth”.
860.12 Fertilizer.
860.12 Fertilizer.
a.General . The fertilizer or fertilizers used shall be of the type and grade provided herein, on the plans and/or the proposal form and when tested by current methods adopted by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, shall comply with Alabama Fertilizer Laws, Title 2, Sections 282 -300, Alabama Code of 1940, as amended.
b.Manure . Lot or stable manure shall consist of animal droppings which may be mixed with not over 25 percent, by volume, of bedding material and shall be free of materials toxic to plant growth, and reasonably free from refuse. It shall be well rotted and not have lost its strength by leaching or injurious fermentation. It shall not contain an excess amount of water and shall be of such consistency as to mix readily with soil and capable of being broken down or made fine.
c.Manufactured Fertilizers .
1.Manufactured fertilizer shall be standard commercial products and shall contain not less th an the percentages by weight {mass} of the ingredients set out in the following table: TYPE Nitrogen N Phosphorus P2O5 Potash K2O 15-0-15 15 15 13-13-13 13 13 13 10-10-10 10 10 10 8-8-8 8 8 8 0-14-14 0 14 14 4-12-12 4 12 12 4-16-8 4 16 8 Super Phosphate 18.0 Ammonium Nitrate 33.5 Ammonium Sulphate 20.5 Sodium Nitrate 16.0 Potassium Chloride 60.0
2.An allowance of five percent variation or tolerance of the above proportions will be permitted based on relative commercial value.
3.Nitrogen may be derived from any nitrogen -carrying material approved by the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
4.Cottonseed meal shall contain 41 percent protein or 6.56 percent nitrogen.
5.All fertilizers sha ll be transported in containers which will insure proper protection, handling, and which are commonly used with such fertilizers.
6.Fertilizers containing pesticide materials produced by a recognized, responsible manufacturer and prequalified for use by t he State Department of Agriculture and Industries or the U.S. Department of Agriculture may be used with the approval of the Engineer.
d.Agricultural Limestone . All limestone for agricultural liming purposes shall be crushed or ground to such a degree o f fineness that 90 percent of the material will pass through a 10 {2.00 mm} mesh screen and not less than 50 percent of the material will pass through a 60 {250 µm} mesh screen. All such limestone shall also have a neutralizing value of 90 percent calcium carbonate or better.
e.Basic Slag . Basic slag shall be ground open hearth basic slag containing not less than the percentage by weight {mass} of the following ingredients. P2O5 (Available) .............. 2.0 Iron Oxide ...................20.0 Magnesium Ox ide ............6.0 Calcium Oxide ..............18.0 Manganese Oxide ............2.0 Neutralizing Value ..... ....55.0 At least 80 percent shall pass through a 100 {150 µm} mesh screen and at least 90 percent shall pass a 50 {300 µm} mesh screen. When basic slag is substituted for limestone in seeding, sprigging, and/or solid sod planting operations, the amount applied shall be adjusted to equal the neutralizing effect of the specified amount of limestone as defined in Subarticle 860.12(d). Blends of basic s lag and other elements, such
860.13 Water.
as 0-6-6, 0-5-6 +.05B and 0- 4-12 +.05, may be used and the added elements credited to the total element requirements for plant food.
860.13 Water.
Water free from substances harmful to the growth of plantings will be approved as suitable for use with roadway improvement materials.
860.14 Blank.
SECTION 861 GAS PIPE, VALVES, AND APPURTENANCES
861.01 Steel Gas Pipe.
Steel pipe shall meet the requirements of API 5L, ANSI B36.10 and ANSI B36.19. Pipe coating shall meet the requirements of AWWA C -203.
861.02 Steel Fittings and Flanges.
Buttweld fittings shall meet the requirements of ANSI B16.9. Steel fittings and flanges 2 inches {50 mm} and smaller shall meet the requirements of ANSI B16.11. Steel fittings and flanges larger than 2 inches {50 mm} shall meet the requirements of ANSI B16.5. All bolts shall meet the requirements of ASTM A 307 Grade B with semi -finished heavy hex nuts. Fittings shall have a minimum pressure rat ing equal to the adjoining pipe installed. Fittings shall be coated meeting the requirements of AWWA C -203.
861.03 Flanged Gaskets.
Flanged gaskets shall be compressed material meeting the requirements of ANSI B16.21. Flanged gaskets shall be 1/16 inches { 1.5 mm} thick composition type.
861.04 Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe and Fittings.
Pipe and fittings shall be made of PE2406 ASTM D 3350 cell classification 345343C or PE3408 ASTM D 3350 cell classification 345544C. The wall thickness shall be determined by the depth of bury, loading on the pipe, and the pipe’s internal pressure.
861.05 Valve.
Valves shall be as described in the project plans and specifications. Valves shall be selected from the Utilities’ approved material/manufacturer list.
861.06 Valve Boxes and Stem Extensions.
Valve boxes shall be cast iron with screw or slide -type adjustments and provided with all valves that are installed vertically. Valve boxes shall have a minimum diameter of 5.25 inches {133 mm}. Box covers shall be marked "gas". Valve boxes shall be selected from Utilities’ approved material/manufacturer list. Valve stem extensions (including lubrication fitting) shall be provided with all valves that are greater than 3 feet {0.9 m} below the adjacent ground surface. The extensio n stem shall be of the same size as the valve stem and shall be provided with a stem guide.
861.07 Tapping Valve.
Tapping valves shall be as described in the project plans and specifications. Where required the tapping valve shall include a sleeve to hold the valve in place. Tapping valves and sleeves shall be selected from the Utilities’ approved material/manufacturer list. SECTION 862 UTILITY ENCASEMENT PIPE
862.01 Welded Steel Encasement Pipe.
Welded steel encasement pipe shall comply with the appropriate requirements for the size shown in the following table unless local codes or ordinances are more stringent:
Source: Alabama Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 2022 Edition. Pages 785–796 of 934.