SECTION 558 - LONGITUDINAL SAWCUT GROOVING OF STRUCTURAL SLAB SURFACE (Last Revised September, 2019)
558-1 DESCRIPTION. Sawcut grooves into the surface of a portland cement concrete structural slab at
the locations indicated in the contract documents. The Contractor is hereby notified that concrete curing requirements, combined with structural slab loading restrictions, may have a significant effect upon the specific time, relative to concrete placement, at which sawcut grooving may be performed. The Contractor shall be familiar with the limits imposed by these factors and conduct operations accordingly.
558-2 MATERIALS. Use multibladed wet saw cutting equipment using circular saw blades. The
Engineer may allow the use of single blade, circular saw equipment, where it is determined such equipment is necessary to complete the work as required. The equipment the Contractor proposes to use will be subject to the approval of the Engineer, prior to use. Use water which meets the requirements of §712-01.
558-3 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS. Sawcutting concrete produces silica dust. Include sawcutting of
concrete in the Health and Safety Plan in accordance with the silica safety requirements of §107-05 L.4. Start sawcutting only after the specified curing period has elapsed, unless otherwise allowed by the applicable specification. Cut longitudinal grooves parallel to the centerline of roadway using a single pass. Space the center-to- center of grooves at 0.75 inch +/- 10%. Cut all grooves rectangular in shape conforming to the following dimensions: Width 0.1 inch (+ 20%, - 0) Depth 0.15 inch +/- 50% During the grooving operations, the Engineer will verify, at random, that the minimum groove depth is being achieved. Should the Engineer determine that minimum groove depth is not being achieved, the Contractor shall stop grooving operations and make all adjustments necessary to achieve the minimum depth. Supply the Engineer with two (2) accurate, easily readable gauges with which to verify groove depth. Deliver the gauges and applicable manufacturer’s instructions for use, if necessary, no later than one week prior to the anticipated beginning of grooving operations. Terminate grooves within the following limits unless otherwise indicated on the contract documents: Location Closest Allowable Distance Farthest Allowable Distance Drainage structure 4 inches 15 inches Vertical face (curb or parapet), or face of railing (no curb) 4 inches 15 inches Joint System (Dimension measured perpendicular from the edge of the joint system) 4 inches 15 inches Using a self-contained system, continuously collect any slurry or debris created by the grooving operation such that it does not accumulate on the surface.
558-4 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT. The quantity will be measured as the number of square yards
of structural slab satisfactorily grooved, measured between the faces of barrier, curb, or rail, and between the ends of the slabs, computed to the nearest whole square yard. No deduction will be made for areas left ungrooved near curbs, barriers, rails, joints, drainage structures, or other objects embedded in the slab.
559-1 01
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
558-5 BASIS OF PAYMENT. The unit price bid per square yard shall include the cost of all labor,
materials, and equipment necessary to complete the work. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 558.02 Longitudinal Sawcut Grooving of Structural Slab Surface Square Yard
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