558 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS CATEGORY 500 PAVING SECTION 558 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING PAVEMENT MARKINGS
558.01 Description
Remove existing pavement markings (lines, letters, numbers, arrows, and symbols) during temporary or permanent traffic shifts or restriping operations and repair any roadway areas damaged during the removal process.
558.02 Materials
Not applicable.
558.03 Construction
Section 549. Layout and apply all new pavement markings (temporary or permanent) for traffic shifts as specified before removing any existing pavement markings.
558.03.01 Quality Control (QC). Refer to 549.03. Submit a Quality Control Plan (QCP) for
approval at least two weeks prior to the start of pavement marking removal. The QCP shall contain the following:
a.Location and quantity to be removed.
b.Proposed method(s) of performing the work. Consider pavement conditions, types and quantities of equipment to be used, manpower estimates, and time frame to complete the work based on Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) restrictions.
c.Protective shielding plan and containment system for dust and in case the markings contain toxic materials. The QCP shall also detail when, how, and what corrective actions will be taken to address unsatisfactory construction practices and deviations from the QCP. Any deviation from the Plan shall be cause for immediate suspension of work. Operations shall not resume without approval. 558 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
558.03.02 Quality Control Test Strip. Remove a minimum of 100 ft of existing pavement
marking as a test strip at a determined location to demonstrate the proposed removal method for approval prior to beginning the work. If the method does not work or shows signs of damaging the pavement, then employ another method. Additional control strips may be required. The preferred method is that which completely removes the markings with the least damage to the pavement.
558.03.03 Methods of Removal. Use removal methods determined by pavement condition and
type of marking material being removed, unless otherwise directed.
a.Removal methods may include hydro-blasting with or without abrasives, abrasive mineral blasting, and shot blasting or grinding.
b.Use methods with vacuum systems that will collect removed markings as well as debris and water.
c.Prevent any debris from draining into inlets and waterways.
d.Dispose of collected material in accordance with EPA regulations.
558.03.04 Lane Shifts and Temporary Traffic Markings. Remove markings to bare pavement
as determined.
a.Grooves created shall be uniform throughout and may be no more than 1/8 in. depth, with no gouge areas.
b.If a second pass is necessary to completely remove the markings, feather the edges of the groove to a width of 1.25 in. on each side for every additional 1/8 in. of depth. Blackout tape may be used in accordance with MdMUTCD. Refer to Section 104.
c.Use hydro blasting to remove existing markings when lane shifts are temporary, and markings will be returned to original alignment.
558.03.05 Existing Markings for Restriping. Remove markings so that new markings may be
placed in the same location and alignment. Refer to D913 for a visual guide to determine percent bare pavement.
a.Use methods that remove the markings to 80 percent - 90 percent bare pavement across the surface of the eradicated area and only slightly abrade the pavement surface without grooving of the pavement or fracturing of the aggregate.
b.The applied markings shall be capable of filling slight irregularities while maintaining the full thickness requirements above the pavement surface. 558 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING PAVEMENT MARKINGS 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
558.03.06 Existing Inlaid and Surface Tapes for Restriping. Remove markings to bare
pavement as determined so that new markings may be placed in the same location and alignment.
a.Use hydro blasting methods or other non grooving method to eradicate to bare pavement.
b.The applied markings shall be capable of filling slight irregularities while maintaining the full thickness requirements above the pavement surface.
c.Apply temporary markings in accordance with MdMUTCD if eradicated markings cannot be replaced on the same day. Do not install any temporary markings in the eradicated area.
558.03.07 Cleaning Pavement Surfaces. Refer to 549.03.07.
558.03.08 Alignment. Perform removal in a straight and uniform manner and follow the
longitudinal alignment of the markings with a lateral deviation of no more than 1 in. in any 10 ft section. Affected area shall not exceed 1/2 in. on either side of the existing marking.
558.03.09 Corrective Actions. Refer to 549.03.01.
558.04 Measurement and Payment
Payment will be full compensation for the removal of the markings, pavement clean up, test strips, protective shielding, containment, disposal of marking material and pavement debris, and for all material, labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work. Removal of the existing pavement markings will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price for one or more of the following items:
a.Removal of Existing Pavement Marking Lines per linear foot, any width.
b.Removal of Existing Pavement Marking Letters, Symbols, Arrows, and Numbers per each.
Referenced in this section
Sections that cite this one
Removal of Existing Pavement Markings in other states
Get an email when 558 changes
Maryland revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, 2026 Edition. Pages 764–766 of 1,138. View official source ↗