708Plant Topsoil

708.1 General Description

This work includes furnishing and applying approved plant topsoil at the locations shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer and according to these specifications.

708.1.01 Definitions

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.1.02 Related References

A. Standard Specifications Section 104—Scope of Work Section 106—Control of Materials Section 107—Legal Regulations and Responsibility to the Public Section 893—Miscellaneous Planting Materials B. Referenced Documents General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.1.03 Submittals

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.2 Materials

A. Plant Topsoil Materials Use plant topsoil that meets the requirements of Subsection 893.2.01. B. Sources of Material Except as modified in this Section, furnish plant topsoil material according to Section 106. 1. Plant Topsoil Obtained from the Work The requirements of Subsection 104.06, Right in and Use of Material Found on the Work are in effect for plant topsoil obtained from the work. a. Obtain the quantity of plant topsoil called for on the plans. b. Use plant topsoil material present on the Project as long as the topsoil meets the specifications applying to the Item. c. Excavate for topsoil only within the construction limits of the project. Obtain topsoil from embankment areas, excavation areas, or borrow excavation pits. d. When obtaining plant topsoil from borrow excavation pits or the roadway, cross section the excavated areas a second time before beginning regular excavation. 2. Plant Topsoil Furnished by the Contractor When insufficient material is obtainable from the work, obtain additional topsoil offsite. The Contract Price will include the costs necessary to locate, purchase, and deliver the required amount of acceptable material to the Work.

708.2.01 Delivery, Storage, and Handling

For the purpose of measurement, the Contractor may haul plant topsoil in any type of vehicle, provided the vehicle when loaded to capacity and traveling over public roads and streets meets the provisions of Subsection 107.14, Load Restrictions. When using pans or scrapers, the capacity will be the manufacturer’s rated capacity.

708.3 Construction Requirements

708.3.01 Personnel

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.3.02 Equipment

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.3.03 Preparation

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.3.04 Fabrication

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.3.05 Construction

A. General Requirements Unless otherwise specified in the plans, uniformly spread plant topsoil to at least 2 in. (50 mm) loose depth. 1. Erosion Control Only use plant topsoil on slopes where the gradient is 3:1 or flatter. To reduce loss of plant topsoil by erosion, place the soil shortly before and in conjunction with grassing operations. Place topsoil and complete grassing within specified seasonal limits. 2. Spreading Procedure Before applying plant topsoil, scarify the designated areas 6 in. to 8 in. (150 mm to 200 mm) deep. Mix the plant topsoil, lime when required, and the first application fertilizer with the underlying soil when preparing the soil for grassing. Spread and smooth the topsoil uniformly. B. Plant Topsoil Obtained from The Work 1. Stockpiling When obtaining topsoil from the work site, strip and stockpile the topsoil in suitable locations in advance of grading operations. Just before grassing, remove the plant topsoil from the stockpile and spread it over the designated areas. If grassing is started before grading operations are finished, if feasible, haul the topsoil from undisturbed areas before grading begins directly to the areas designated for the topsoil, eliminating the cost of stockpiling and removing the stockpile. 2. Surplus Material When stockpiling more material than specified in the Contract, use the surplus material as additional plant topsoil material if directed by the Engineer. After constructing the Item, use the surplus material left in the stockpiles to maintain the Item or to fill washes that occur within a reasonable haul distance. Otherwise, remove or dress down the remaining material as directed by the Engineer, without additional compensation. C. Plant Topsoil Furnished by Contractor When locating, obtaining, and paying for plant topsoil from pits outside the right-of-way, excavate the topsoil and haul it directly to the designated areas just before the planting begins. Notify the Engineer, according to Subsection 893.2.01, Plant Topsoil, of the source of the material. The Engineer will inspect the topsoil. If the material is suitable, the Engineer will specify the permissible excavation depth. If the permissible excavation depth is exceeded, the material obtained from the areas will be rejected.

708.3.06 Quality Acceptance

After placing the plant topsoil, replace material lost by erosion at no expense to the Department.

708.3.07 Contractor Warranty and Maintenance

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.4 Measurement

Accepted plant topsoil for this Item is measured by the cubic yard (meter) of material delivered in vehicles to the designated areas for plant topsoil. Only vehicles loaded to full capacity are measured for payment. No payment will be made for material delivered in partially filled vehicles. Plant topsoil is not measured for payment when it is used for an Item that includes the cost of the plant topsoil in the price bid per Unit for the Item.

708.4.01 Limits

General Provisions 101 through 150.

708.5 Payment

Plant topsoil, eligible for payment, will be paid for at the Contract Unit Price per cubic yard (meter). Payment is full compensation for furnishing the material, removing objectionable matter from the material, loading and unloading, stockpiling and removing from the stockpile, hauling, spreading, preparing the ground, pulverizing, mixing, remixing, and for all maintenance. Payment will be made under: Item No. 708. Plant topsoil Per cubic yard (meter)

708.5.01 Adjustments

General Provisions 101 through 150.