SECTION 585 - STRUCTURAL LIFTING OPERATIONS (Last Revised May, 2019)
585-1 DESCRIPTION. This work shall consist of raising, supporting, and lowering each designated
bearing point to perform the tasks specified in the contract documents. This work shall also include the temporary shoring of a bearing point where a shim tight installation is designated on the plans. Examples of work specifying a shim tight installation include, but are not limited to: • Temporary shoring of capbeams during staged construction. • Temporary shoring of girders during substructure rehabilitation. • Temporary shoring of a bridge construction stage to decrease or eliminate live load deflection.
585-1.01 Bearing Point. The term bearing point is defined as a point on the structure which is designated
on the plans to be raised or shored to perform other work.
585-1.02 Lift Point. The term lift point is defined as a point on the structure where the lifting force is
applied.
585-1.03 Type. The type designation is used to distinguish between different methods of accomplishing
thework, and/or significantly different lifting loads. Such situations will be noted on the contract plans.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 They will be defined by a type designation. The type designation will be reflected in the pay item title (e.g., 585.01 Structural Lifting Operations - Type A, etc.).
585-2 Materials
585-2.01 Used Materials. Used materials will be allowed. Those materials that are permanently attached
to the structure shall be new, and meet the requirement of the New York State Steel Construction Manual and the following requirements: Structural Steel 715-01 High Strength Bolts, Nuts and Washers 715-14 Pins and Rollers 715-15
585-2.02 Lifting Equipment. Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents or plans, the choice
of structural lifting system and/or temporary shoring shall be at the Contractor's option, subject to the following provisions: Jacks used for lifting operations shall have the rated capacity clearly shown on the manufacturer's name plate attached to each jack. Jacks shall have a rated capacity of a least one and a half times the calculated lifting force. Lifting equipment deemed to be inadequate or faulty shall be removed from the site. Jacks shall be equipped with pressure gauges or other load measuring devices that will enable the applied lifting force to be monitored. Jacks and associated lifting equipment shall be calibrated as per manufacturer’s instructions.
585-3 Construction Details
585-3.01 General. Unless a specific distance is shown on the plans, each designated bearing point shall
be raised the minimum distance that will allow the work to be completed. The Contractor shall engage the services of a Professional Engineer to design and detail the structural lifting system and/or temporary shoring. The Professional Engineer shall be available for consultation in interpreting their plans and in the resolution of problems which may arise during the performance of the work. The Contractor and the Professional Engineer shall be intimately familiar with the current condition of the existing superstructure with respect to the structural capacity of the members. All field welding and slip critical connections shall be performed in accordance with the New York State Steel Construction Manual. For slip-critical connections, the class of slip resistance shall be specified on the working drawings. The Contractor shall furnish lift plans and calculations for the installation of the structural lifting system and/or temporary shoring structural elements as per the requirements in §107-05 P.2 Lift Plans. If drilling and grouting into existing concrete is included as part of the structural lifting system, the DCES will determine the need for pull-out testing based on The New York State Bridge Manual. A non- destructive investigation shall be performed by the Contractor to determine the location of existing reinforcing steel prior to drilling. If reinforcing steel conflicts with, or is encountered during the drilling operation, the DCES shall be notified by the Contractor to determine the appropriate course of action. At no time shall reinforcement be cut without the approval of the DCES. All drilling and grouting operations shall comply with Section 586 Miscellaneous Structural Reconstruction. Spalled concrete in areas to be drilled and grouted shall be repaired prior to the installation of the lifting equipment. If drilling and grouting into repaired spalled concrete, the embedment depth, subject to the contractor’s engineer’s approval, may only include the depth of repair behind the reinforcement. If the drilling and grouting is into unreinforced concrete, the embedment depth shall be measured into existing sound concrete only, and shall not include the depth of the repair.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
585-3.02 Loads. The contract documents designate, by type, the bearing points to be raised or shored to
perform the contract work. The unfactored loads at each bearing point are shown in the contract documents. The Contractor and the Professional Engineer shall determine the appropriate lateral and longitudinal loads in the design of the structural lifting system and/or temporary shoring. The Contractor shall select the location of the lift points, subject to the approval of the DCES, and calculate the required lifting force at that location. All design and details shall be in conformance with the current AASHTO Guide Design Specifications for Bridge Temporary Works, with the following revisions:
A.Loads and load combinations shall be from either the current AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges or the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
B.There shall be no required minimum vertical design load.
C.The maximum slenderness ratio for steel structural lifting compression members shall be 120.
D.The presumptive soil bearing values shown in Table 2.5.2-1 shall not apply for footings located on slopes exceeding a 1 vertical on 6 horizontal. In these cases, designs should be based on either the current AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges or the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. Structural lifting system and/or temporary shoring submittals shall be designed to Inventory Level. Operating Level designs will not be allowed. The design of the structural lifting system shall include a narrative of how lateral and longitudinal stability of the structure is maintained while in a supported position.
585-3.03 Working Drawings. The Contractor shall furnish legible working drawings, prepared, sealed
and signed by a Professional Engineer, for the system proposed to raise, support, and lower, or temporarily shore each designated bearing point. The working drawings shall not alter the number or location of designated bearing points shown on the contract documents.
A.The working drawings shall include, but are not limited to the following:
1.Lift point locations
2.Unfactored calculated lifting forces and equivalent pressures for the following two conditions:
a.Anticipated structure liftoff
b.Maximum capacity of the entire lifting system
3.Details for all lifting equipment and temporary shoring systems
4.Sequence of lifting operations
5.Type and grade of all materials
6.Distance that each bearing point is to be raised
7.Schematic hydraulic layout
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
8.All disconnections, reconnections or adjustments that are necessary to properly complete the lifting operations. This includes, but is not limited to, railings, joints, power lines, gas lines, water lines, etc.
9.Scour protection of supports for lifting and/or shoring in, or adjacent to, waterways. Scour protection shall be, at minimum, medium stone fill.
10.Positive connection to the existing structure
B.Working drawings and design computations shall be submitted electronically to the DCES, with a copy to the Engineer, for approval. The DCES shall be allowed the longest of the following time durations to examine design computations and working drawings:
1.Fifteen work days.
2.Two work days for each drawing of a set of working drawings.
3.One work day for every four (4) design computation sheets. Any design computation sheet written on both sides will be considered as two design computation sheets. Time for review will begin upon receipt of all pertinent information by the DCES. The DCES comments will be indicated on the returned copies. Should the proposed system not be approved, the reasons will be indicated with the return of the material. The Contractor shall submit revised drawings and design computations for approval, subject to the same terms as the first submission. Resubmission will not be considered a reason to request an extension of time. The review of the design calculations and working drawings by the Department shall not relieve the Contractor of any responsibility for safely and adequately designing and installing the lifting system and/or temporary shoring. All work shall be done in accordance with the approved working drawings. The Contractor must have approved working drawings prior to the start of any structural lifting operations. The Contractor shall bear all costs and/or damages which may result from the ordering of any materials, or equipment; or the use of any preparatory labor prior to the approval of the working drawings.
585-3.04 Lifting Operations. The Contractor shall raise each designated bearing point by applying
the necessary lifting force at each lift point. If the anticipated structure liftoff pressure is reached prior to the structure lifting, the structural lifting operation shall stop. The Contractor and its Professional Engineer shall investigate the causes of why the structure failed to lift. Concurrence from the Engineer must be obtained prior to restarting the lifting operation. The Contractor shall not apply a lifting pressure in excess of the calculated maximum allowable lifting pressure stated on the working drawings. During all phases of the operation, the differential lift between any two adjacent bearings on a common centerline of bearing shall not exceed 3/8 inch unless approved by the DCES. The Contractor shall, at the earliest possible moment during or after each lift, safely secure the structure with shims, cribbing, bolsters, or other suitable supports. After the structure has been raised the structural lifting system shall be positively connected to the existing structure. The lifting operation shall be conducted such that the distance between the structure and the shims, cribbing, bolsters, or other suitable supports shall not exceed 3/8 inch at any time. Any replacement, repair, or adjustments to the superstructure steel due to the structural lifting operations shall be performed in accordance with the current New York State Steel Construction Manual. All materials required for temporary support of the structure shall remain the property of the Contractor and shall be removed from the site after the work is completed.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
585-3.05 Inspection. Structural lifting systems, and temporary structural supports, that are to remain in
place for a period exceeding one year shall be inspected by a Professional Engineer hired by the Contractor. The Professional Engineer shall certify in writing to the Engineer that the structural system can continue to function as originally designed.
585-4 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT. The quantity to be measured for payment will be the number
of bearing points raised.
585-5 BASIS OF PAYMENT. The unit price bid per bearing point shall include the cost of all labor,
materials and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work. Payment will be made only once for each bearing point regardless of the number of times the bearing point is raised. Progress payments will be made after all temporary supports have been installed and any required lifting has been performed. Payment will be made for 70 percent of the quantity. The remaining 30 percent will be paid for after the bearing points have been lowered to their final permanent position and the lifting equipment and temporary supports have been removed. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 585.XX Structural Lifting Operations - (Types A - K) Each XX (01 through 11) = Type Designation (A through K)
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 639–643 of 1,489. View official source ↗