2-1 Division 2 – Earthwork
Section 201. Clearing ........................................................................................ 2-3 Section 202. Removing Trees, Stumps, and Corduroy ...................................... 2-7 Section 203. Removing Drainage Structures, Culverts, and Sewers ................. 2-9 Section 204. Removing Miscellaneous Structures and Materials .................... 2-12 Section 205. Roadway Earthwork ................................................................... 2-18 Section 206. Excavation and Backfill for Structures ........................................ 2-36 Section 207. Obliterating Roadway ................................................................. 2-40 Section 208. Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control ..................................... 2-41 Section 209. Project Cleanup .......................................................................... 2-49
2-2 Notes
2-3 Section 201. Clearing
201.01. Description This work consists of clearing, selectively thinning, clearing for fence, and applying growth preventive material if required. 201.02. Materials Provide materials in accordance with the following section : Growth Preventive Material .............................................................. 917 The M DARD must certify the applicator that is used to apply growth preventive material . Provide certificat ion to the Engineer prior to the application. 201.03. Construction
A.Clearing . Cut, remove, and dispose of trees, stumps, brush, shrubs, roots, logs, and other vegetation. Salvage marketable timber . Preserve vegetation and objects that are required to remain from injury or defacement.
1.Removals. Remove trees, stumps , and other vegetation to 10 feet outside the slope stake line or to the right -of-way line, whichever is less. In other areas, remove trees, stumps, and other vegetation as shown on the plans . Remove trees without endangering traffic and the general public, injuring other trees, and damaging structures or property. In peat treatment areas, remove trees, stumps, and other vegetation to the outer limits of the peat excavation. Between outer peat excavat ion limits and outer clearing limits, cut off vegetation to no greater than 6 inches above the ground. Removal of stumps and roots beyond the peat excavation limits is not required. If the Engineer approves, bury stumps with at least 2 feet of cover in peat disposal areas outside the limits of sound fill.
2.Protecting Plant Life . Protect vegetation that is not designated for removal on the plans or by the Engineer . Repair or replace trees or shrubs damaged by Contractor operations at no additional cost to the Department.
3.Salvaging Marketable Timber . Do not burn or waste marketable timber . Marketable timber includes trees with a diameter of at least 6 inches measured 4½ feet above the base of the tree at the ground line. Timber does not need to be cut in lengths of less than 8 feet. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 201
2-4 Salvage marketable timber in accordance with the following:
a.Right -of-Way Purchased in Fee Simple. On right -of-way purchased in fee simple, the Department considers marketable timber the propert y of the Contractor . Make marketable timber available to wood-using industries or individuals.
b.Right -of-Way Easements. On right -of-way easements, the Department considers marketable timber the property of the landowner. Cut and neatly stack marketable timber on the landowner’s property adjacent to the right -of-way. Provide the Engineer with the property owner’s written dir ection for the disposal of the marketable timber. Take ownership of marketable timber not wanted by the property owner and make available to wood-using industries or individuals. On easements or special use permits on land owned by the Forest Service or MD NR, marketable timber is the property of the Forest Service or MDNR. Cut and dispose of this timber as agreed by the Department and the Forest Service or MDNR. The Forest Service or MDNR may sell or otherwise dispose of standing marketable timber to others if its removal does not unduly interfere with Contractor operations.
4.Disposing of Unsalvageable Material . Do not dispose of material, temporarily or permanently, in wetlands or floodplains . Dispose of unmarketable timber and vegetative debris resulting fr om clearing and selective thinning in accordance with subsection 205.03.P and using one of the following methods:
a.Chipping . Dispose of chips outside the right -of-way unless otherwise approved by the Engineer.
b.Burning . Obtain burning permits . Burn only trees, logs, brush, or stumps within the right -of-way in accordance with subsection 107.15.A.3. Do not use tires, heavy distillates, or plastics as kindling agents . Dispose of remaining material outside the right-of-way or in other Engineer -approved areas.
B.Selective Thinning . Remove and dispose of undesirable trees, stumps, undergrowth, and debris outside areas designated for clearing. Treat stumps and stubs with a growth preventive material if required. Protect plant life in accordance with subsection 201.03.A .2. Dispose of materials in accordance with subsection 201.03.A.4. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 201
2-5 The plans will show or the Engineer will direct trees and areas of
undergrowth for removal by selective thinning. The Engineer will not consider this work complete until the Engineer’s acceptance of the project. Perform selective thinning in accordance with the following:
1.Selective Thinning Type I . Cut off stumps to no greater than 6 inches above the existing ground level and apply a growth preventive material the same day.
2.Selective Thinnin g Type II . Chip or grind stumps to 4 inches below the proposed ground level.
C.Clearing for Fence. Remove and dispose of trees, brush, stubs, stumps, and other vegetation on the fence line. Clear no greater than 8 feet within the right -of-way. Do not clear o utside the right -of-way unless approved by the Engineer . Clear less than 8 feet where possible . Access fence work locations from other public right-of-way to avoid or reduce the removal of existing vegetation. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining and providing the Engineer with written approval from the public landowner before accessing other public right-of-way. Cut trees, brush, shrubs, stumps, and other vegetation flush with the ground level . Removal of roots is not required. Do not remove mature trees or bushes if trimming limbs would allow installation of the fence. Treat stumps and stubs within 1 foot of the fence line with growth preventive material the same day. Protect plant life in accordance with subsection 201.03.A.2. Dispose of materials in accordance with subsection 201.03.A.4. 201.04. Measurement and Payment Pay Item Pay Unit Clearing ..................................................................................................... Acre Thinning, Selective, Type __ ...................................................................... Acre Clearing, Fence ..................................................................................... Station
A.Clearing . The Engineer will measure Clearing by horizontal area bounded by the outermost trees cut . The Engineer will establish the perimeter line along the outside faces of the trunks. The cost of clearing areas up to 10 feet outside the limits of earth disturbance, State-provided borrow areas , clear vision areas , or other MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 201
2-6 areas designated on the plans is included in the unit price for related pay
items unless clearing is a separate pay item. If the Engineer directs clearing not shown on the plans beyond 10 feet outside the limits of earth disturbance in non -State -provided borrow areas, or in clear vision areas, and the contract provides no separate pay item for Clearing , the Department will pay for this clearing as extra work. If the Engineer directs the Contractor to return to perform additional clearing of areas less than ½ acre after the Engineer accepted the clearing of an area, the Department will pay for this clearing as extra work.
B.Thinning, Selective . The Engineer will measure Thinning, Selective of the type specified by horizontal area. The unit price for Thinning, Selective includes the cost of providing and applying growth preventive materials, where required.
C.Clearing, Fence. The Engineer will measure Clearing, Fence along the fence line by length. The Department will not provide additional compensation for handwork . The unit price for Clearing, Fence includes the cost of providing and applying growth preventive material where required.
Source: Michigan Standard Specifications for Construction, 2020 Edition. Pages 127–132 of 1,146.