610.01 Description
This work is re-establishing vegetative cover on specified areas with salvaged topsoil in accordance with Subsection 203.03.6 or furnished topsoil, seeding, planting, fertilizing, mulching, composting, soil retention blankets, and sodding.
610.02 Materials
Furnish materials in accordance with the following subsection requirements: Compost.................................................................. 713.13 Fertilizer .................................................................. 713.09 Mulch ...................................................................... 713.10 Reclamation Seed ................................................... 713.08 Sod ......................................................................... 713.11 Rolled Erosion Control Products ............................. 713.12 Topsoil .................................................................... 713.05 Water ...................................................................... 713.01 Weed Control Mat ................................................... 713.06
610.03 Construction Requirements
610.03.1 Furnished Topsoil
When topsoil is a bid item, furnish topsoil and notify the Project Manager of the proposed topsoil source(s) as soon as possible after the contract award. Topsoil from proposed sources may be used only after sample tests show the material is acceptable. Complete topsoil areas to the lines, grades, and elevations specified. Do not place topsoil until the designated areas are prepared and all construction work in the area is completed. Scarify or rip slopes to be top soiled. Break up ordinary sod and soil containing grass roots into maximum 2-inch (50 mm) clumps. Remove and dispose of, at Contractor expense, all clods, rocks, large roots, litter, and other foreign material exceeding 4 inches (100 mm) in its greatest dimension from the topsoil before placing it on the roadway and before final acceptance. Break up the topsoil to an average 4 inches (100 mm) deep.
610.03.2 Seeding, Fertilizing, and Mulching
These requirements apply to establishing vegetation on areas disturbed by the work. Landscaping interchange areas, rest areas, urban areas, and other areas are specified elsewhere in the contract.
A.General. Work the areas to be seeded to the specified line and grade before seeding and fertilizing. Seed all disturbed areas. Permanent seeding of the finished slopes may require multiple seeding. Fertilizing, mulching, composting, permanent erosion control blanket placement and seeding are specified in the contract. After all condition seedbed surface, seeding, and fertilizing work is complete, remove and dispose of any oversize material that protrudes 4 inches (100 mm) or more above the conditioned seedbed surface.
B.Seeding Season. The seeding season is October 1 st through May 15th. Obtain the Project Manager’s approval to seed outside this period. If contract time has been stopped 610 – ROADSIDE RE-VEGETATION 2020 EDITION V5.1 610-2 awaiting the seeding season, contract time assessment will resume when the seeding begins or October 15th, whichever occurs first.
C.Condition Seedbed Surface. Condition the seedbed surface area by killing growing weeds, removing, or mowing old weedy growth, tilling, disking, harrowing, or scarifying compacted areas, and compacting unstable areas. Condition all seeding areas unless otherwise directed. The Project Manager may exclude wet, soft, or rocky areas from conditioning. Cultivating, tilling, harrowing, disking, and similar work may, if approved, be performed any time after the contract is awarded. Break up tight or compacted soils into 2-inch (50 mm) or smaller pieces. Remove or repair discs, harrows, cultipackers, and similar equipment not in good operating condition. Operate disking, harrowing, and soil tilling equipment at right angles to the natural slopes. Prepare soil using equipment that produces a rough-textured surface ready for seeding and mulching. Operate equipment normal to the natural slopes. The final surface must be 1 to 1½ inches (25 to 38 mm) below the tops of curbs, catch basins, and other structures. Re-scarify areas to be broadcast seeded within 48 hours before seeding.
D.Seed Distribution.
1.General. Apply seed within 48 hours of the final seedbed conditioning. Do not broadcast seed or hydraulic seed when weather conditions prevent uniform seed distribution. Do not cover seed with more than ½-inch (13 mm) of soil. The seed application rate is specified in the contract.
2.Drill Seeding. Drill seed Area 1 and Area 3 using equipment that regulates the seed application rate and planting depth. Acceptable drills are custom seeders, furrow drills, disc drills, or other approved drills. If seed-sowing equipment does not have press wheels, compact the seed using a cultipacker once the ground has been drilled. Maintain uniform seed distribution in the drill hopper during the work. Operate all seeding related equipment at right angles to the slope. Regulate planting depth with depth bands or coulters. Use a drill box partitioned by dividers a maximum of 24 inches (610 mm) apart. Seed rows a maximum of 8 inches (200 mm) apart and at right angles to the slope.
3.Broadcast Seeding. Hand seeding or mechanical seeding of Area 2 is preferred for all areas where drill seeding is not possible or practical. These areas include narrow medians, or areas too small to effectively operate drill seeding equipment.
4.Hydraulic Seeding. Hydraulic seeding is permissible for Area 2 only if broadcast seeding is not possible due to steep slopes or unstable footing. Do not use hydraulic seeding without the Project Manager’s prior approval. Perform hydraulic seeding in two operations:
a.Apply the seed with 1 pound (0.454 kg) of wood or recycled paper mulch per 3 gallons (11.3 L) of water; and 2020 EDITION V5.1 ROADSIDE RE-VEGETATION – 610 610-3
b.Apply the remaining mulch, and/or compost, along with fertilizer, if specified. See Subsection 610.03.2(F)(5).
E.Application of Fertilizer. When broadcasting seed, apply the fertilizer separately. When drill seeding, do not apply seed and fertilizer in a single mixture. The fertilizer must be applied separately, either broadcast before seed application, or surface banded during seeding.
F.Mulching.
1.General. Use the mulch type specified in the contract. Apply mulch to seeded areas within 24 hours after seeding without disturbing the seedbed surface. Do not apply mulch to ground having free surface water or if wind prevents uniform distribution.
2.Application of Vegetative Mulch. Uniformly apply vegetative mulch with a mulch spreader at the specified rate once seeding and fertilizing are completed. Secure all vegetative mulch to the slopes with a non-asphalt based tackifier containing either plant derived hydrocolloid or polymeric materials. Add the tackifier to the fertilizer/mulch slurry when wood cellulose or recycled paper fibers are used as an over-spray onto the straw/hay mulch. Tuck vegetative mulch on slopes 3H:1V or flatter into the seedbed. Use a mulch tiller for tucking. Operate the equipment perpendicular to the slope. Use mulch tillers having round, notched blades approximately ¼-inch (6 mm) thick by 18 inches (455 mm) in diameter spaced 8 inches (200 mm) apart that force the vegetative mulch at least 3 inches (75 mm) into the soil. Equip tillers with disc scrapers. If temporary erosion controls are needed, straw tucking followed by permanent seeding within the seeding season are acceptable measures.
3.Applying Fabricated Mulch or Netting. Place fabricated mulch or netting on the specified or directed areas, securing it to the ground using wire staples, wood pegs, or other approved devices. Apply the mulch or netting over the seeded areas.
4.Applying Wood Cellulose Fiber or Recycled Paper Mulch. Apply wood cellulose fiber or recycled paper mulch and fertilizer in one operation with a hydraulic distributor using water as the vehicle. Equip the distributor with a continuous agitator keeping the fertilizer and mulch uniformly suspended throughout the distribution cycle. Adjust the pump pressure to maintain a continuous slurry stream. Size the slurry distribution lines to prevent plugging. Equip the discharge line with hydraulic spray nozzles to uniformly distribute the slurry to the seedbed. Start mulching at the top of the slope and work downward. Use extension hoses to reach the slope extremities.
5.Finishing. Re-mulch areas where mulch is weather damaged. Repair seedbed and seeding damage caused by displaced mulch material and re- seed the areas before re-mulching. Seedbed repair, re-seeding, and re-mulching required due to the Contractor’s negligence is at Contractor expense.
G.Composting. Use the compost type specified in the contract. Apply the compost at the rate, method and sequence specified in the contract. Compost rates are dry weight equivalent. 610 – ROADSIDE RE-VEGETATION 2020 EDITION V5.1 610-4
610.03.3 Sodding
A.Season. Perform sodding during the normal seeding season or as specified.
B.Source of Materials. Notify the Project Manager of the sod source(s) at least 3 days before sod cutting begins. Cut and deliver only approved sod to the project.
C.Surface Preparation. Prepare the surfaces to be sodded to the required cross section, grade, and contour. Make the surface smooth and uniform, free of stones, roots, lumps, weeds, and other foreign material. Undercut the prepared surface below the adjacent areas so the top of the new sod is flush with adjacent seedbed or turfed areas and 1-inch (25 mm) below sidewalk and curb tops. Break the surface up to a fine, granular texture at least 2 inches (50 mm) deep before placing sod. Fertilize the surface to be sodded a maximum 48 hours before placing sod. Use inorganic fertilizer having minimum active ingredients of 15 pounds of nitrogen and 40 pounds of P 2O5 per acre (17 kg of nitrogen and 44 kg of P2O5 per hectare).
D.Cutting and Handling Sod. Machine-cut sod in uniform rectangular sections. Cut to a depth to retain intact sod mats and root systems. Prevent tearing or breaking of the sod. Load, unload, and place sod to prevent tearing or breaking of the sod.
E.Placing Sod. Lay sod within 36 hours of cutting. Protect sod from dry or cold weather until placed. Place and fit sod as close as possible staggering the joints between horizontal rows. Lay the sod strips horizontally on slopes, starting at the slope bottom and work upwards. On slopes steeper than 3H:1V, anchor the sod with fasteners spaced a maximum 2 feet (610 mm) apart and driven flush with the sod surface. In waterways, lay the strips parallel to the flow, staggered, and fitted snug and even with the strips already placed. Fill gaps between sod strips with sod pieces cut to the gap size and shape. At slope bottoms, extend the sod edges at least 2 inches (50 mm) into the ground or ditch bottom. Turn all other sod area edges into the ground and cover with topsoil, compact and smooth to blend with the adjacent finished grades. Roller compact the sod with a roller immediately after placement. Provide a smooth, even surface, free from bumps and depressions. Thoroughly water the sod and re-roll to ensure good soil contact.
F.Sod Maintenance. Water new sodded areas until the sod is firmly rooted. Maintain the new sod until it is well rooted and replace all dead, dying, and damaged sod as directed at Contractor expense.
610.03.4 Rolled Erosion Control Products
Prepare, fertilize, and seed the rolled erosion control products areas before placement. Handle and place it following the manufacturer’s recommendations. If recommendations are not provided, install as follows:
1.In ditches, unroll the blanket downstream and lap 4 inches (100 mm) over the adjoining blanket. Bury the ends and edges to prevent water and wind undercutting. 2020 EDITION V5.1 ROADSIDE RE-VEGETATION – 610 610-5
2.On slopes, the blanket may be unrolled horizontally or vertically to the slope, then lapped 4 inches (100 mm) over the adjoining blanket and stapled as above. Lap the blanket in the direction of flow.
610.03.5 Weed Control Mat
Handle and place weed control mat following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
610.04 Method of Measurement
610.04.1 Topsoil
Topsoil is measured by the cubic yard (m
3.of loose material level with the haul vehicle box at the point of use on the project. Strike or level loads when directed. All costs for obtaining and furnishing topsoil are incidental and are not measured separately for payment. Include these costs in the unit bid price for topsoil.
610.04.2 Seeding
Seeding is measured by the acre (ha), parallel to the ground surface.
610.04.3 Fertilizing
Fertilizing is measured by the acre (ha), parallel to the ground surface.
610.04.4 Condition Seedbed Surface
Condition seedbed surface is measured by the acre (ha), parallel to the ground surface. Removal of oversized material from the conditioned seedbed surface is not measured separately for payment.
610.04.5 Mulch
A.Vegetative Mulch and Wood Cellulose Fiber Mulch. Vegetative mulch and wood cellulose fiber mulch is measured by the acre (ha), parallel to the ground surface.
B.Fabricated Mulch and Netting. Fabricated mulch and netting is measured by the square yard (m
2.in place.
C.Bituminous Mulch. Bituminous mulch is measured by the gallon (L) for the gallons (L) applied at the specified rate.
610.04.6 Sodding
Sodding is measured by the square yard (m2) in place, parallel to the ground surface. Re-sodded areas damaged from causes not the fault of the Contractor are measured for payment.
610.04.7 Rolled Erosion Control Products
Rolled Erosion Control Products are measured by the square yard (m2) in place.
610.04.8 Composting
Composting is measured by the acre (ha).
610.04.9 Weed Control Mat
Weed control mat is measured by the square yard (m2) in place.
610.05 Basis of Payment
Payment for the completed and accepted quantities is made under the following: Pay Item Pay Unit Compost Acre (ha) Condition Seedbed Surface Acre (ha) Fabricated Mulch and Netting Acre (ha) 610 – ROADSIDE RE-VEGETATION 2020 EDITION V5.1 610-6 Fertilizing Acre (ha) Mulch Acre (ha) Seeding Acre (ha) Sodding Square Yard (m2) Rolled Erosion Control Products Square Yard (m2) Topsoil Cubic Yard (m3) Weed Control Mat Square Yard (m2) Include the cost of removing oversized material from the conditioned seedbed surface in the cost of Topsoil – Salvaging and Placing, or Topsoil (furnished) whichever is applicable.
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2020 (v5.1) Edition. Pages 431–436 of 611. View official source ↗