SECTION 621 - CLEANING CULVERTS, DRAINAGE STRUCTURES AND EXISTING ROADSIDE SECTIONS
621-1 Description
621-1.01 General. This work shall consist of cleaning and keeping clean, existing culverts, closed
drainage systems, drainage structures, and existing roadside sections as shown in the contract documents.
621-1.02 Definitions. The following general definitions shall be used in conjunction with this section:
A.Culvert. A culvert is defined as an enclosed channel open at both ends carrying water from a stream or water course through an artificial barrier such as a roadway embankment.
B.Closed Drainage System. A closed drainage system is a collection system for stormwater runoff that carries water to a discharge point. A closed drainage system consists of enclosed channel(s) closed at either one or both ends by a drainage structure, and may include intermediate drainage structures at junction points.
C.Drainage Structure. A drainage structure includes catch basins, manholes, drop inlets, leaching basins and similar structures that collect and/or redirect runoff water.
D.Materials Removed. Materials removed have been presumed not to include non-hazardous industrial waste or hazardous waste in accordance with §107-10 Managing Surplus Material and Waste.
E.Clean and Keeping Clean. Clean and keeping clean is the activity of removing accumulated sediment, debris, and vegetation which impedes the flow of water to maintain a proper drainage path and re-establish the design capacity.
F.Graded Surfaces. Grading surfaces entails forming and trimming surfaces to the lines and grades shown in the contract documents.
621-2 MATERIALS. None specified.
621-3 Construction Details
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621-3.01 General. Provide appropriate control and discharge practices for all water throughout the
cleaning process. Include methods and schedules to be consistent with the soil erosion and sediment control plan in accordance with §209-3.01 General and perform all work in accordance with §107-12 Water Quality Protection.
621-3.02 Cleaning Culverts. Culvert locations identified in the contract documents shall be cleaned.
Materials removed shall be disposed of in accordance with §203-3.02 B. Disposal of Surplus Excavated Materials. Removal of contaminated material shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 205 Contaminated Soil. It is not guaranteed that placement of surplus materials of spoil will be allowed within the right of way. Additionally, disposal of turbid water generated via the cleaning process shall be subject to appropriate environmental regulations.
621-3.03 Cleaning Closed Drainage System. Closed drainage systems identified in the contract
documents shall be cleaned. Materials removed shall be disposed of in accordance with §203-3.02 B. Disposal of Surplus Excavated Materials. Removal of contaminated material shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 205 Contaminated Soil. It is not guaranteed that placement of surplus materials of spoil will be allowed within the right of way. Additionally, disposal of turbid water generated via the cleaning process shall be subject to appropriate environmental regulations.
621-3.04 Cleaning Drainage Structures. Drainage structures identified in the contract documents shall
be cleaned. Materials removed shall be disposed of in accordance with §203-3.02 B. Disposal of Surplus Excavated Materials. Removal of contaminated material shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 205 Contaminated Soil. It is not guaranteed that placement of surplus materials of spoil will be allowed within the right of way. Additionally, disposal of turbid water generated via the cleaning process shall be subject to appropriate environmental regulations.
621-3.05 Cleaning, Grading and Shaping Existing Roadside Section. The Contractor shall remove
earth, turf, brush and debris, or provide necessary fill material to restore adequate roadside drainage. Ditches shall be shaped as shown in the contract documents. Material removed shall be disposed of in conformance with the provisions of §203-3.02 B. Disposal of Surplus Excavated Materials. Removal of contaminated material shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 205 Contaminated Soil. The Contractor shall protect all fences, markers, culverts, underground structures, utilities and other appurtenances adjacent to the work area. Any damaged facilities and/or disturbed areas shall be replaced in kind at no additional cost to the state.
621-4 Method of Measurement
621-4.01 General. None specified.
621-4.02 Cleaning Culverts. Cleaning culverts will be measured in linear feet of culvert cleaned,
measured along the invert, to the nearest foot. Multiple barrel culverts will be measured along each individual barrel.
621-4.03 Cleaning Closed Drainage System. Cleaning closed drainage systems will be measured in
linear feet of pipe cleaned, measured along the invert of the pipe, from the inside wall surface of the drainage structure to the inside wall surface of the next drainage structure, measured to the nearest foot.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
621-4.04 Cleaning Drainage Structures. Cleaning drainage structures will be measured as the number
of drainage structures cleaned.
621-4.05 Cleaning, Grading and Shaping Existing Roadside Section. Cleaning, grading, and shaping
existing roadside section will be measured as the number of linear feet along the edge of the adjacent roadway.
621-5 Basis of Payment
621-5.01 General. None specified.
621-5.02 Cleaning Culverts. The unit price bid shall include the cost of all labor, materials, and
equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work including the cost of managing and disposing the materials used to clean and the materials removed from the culverts. Payment for cleaning culverts will be made only for those facilities designated in the contract documents. Only one payment for each length of facility will be made regardless of the number of times it is cleaned.
621-5.03 Cleaning Closed Drainage System. The unit price bid shall include the cost of all labor,
materials, and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work including the cost of managing and disposing the materials used to clean and the materials removed from the closed drainage system. Payment for cleaning closed drainage systems will be made only for those facilities designated in the contract documents. Only one payment for each facility will be made regardless of the number of times it is cleaned. Cleaning intermediate drainage structures at junction points within a closed drainage system shall be paid for under its respective item.
621-5.04 Cleaning Drainage Structures. The unit price bid for each shall include the cost of all labor,
materials and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work including the cost of managing and disposing the materials used to clean and the materials removed from the drainage structures. Payment for cleaning drainage structures will be made only for those facilities designated in the contract documents. Only one payment for each facility will be made regardless of the number of times it is cleaned.
621-5.05 Cleaning, Grading and Shaping Existing Roadside Section. The unit price bid shall include
the costs of furnishing all labor, material and equipment necessary to complete the work including the cost of disposing the materials removed from the roadside section and/or fill material to restore the shape. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 621.01 Cleaning Culverts with Span of 50 in. or Less Linear Foot 621.02 Cleaning Culverts with Span of More Than 50 in. Linear Foot 621.03 Cleaning Closed Drainage Systems Linear Foot 621.04 Cleaning Drainage Structures Each 621.05 Clean, Grade and Shape Existing Roadside Section Linear Foot 621.11 Cleaning Culverts (Contaminated Material) with Span of 50 in. or Less Linear Foot 621.12 Cleaning Culverts (Contaminated Material) with Span of More Than 50 in. Linear Foot 621.13 Cleaning Closed Drainage Systems (Contaminated Material) Linear Foot 621.14 Cleaning Drainage Structures (Contaminated Material) Each 621.15 Clean (Contaminated Material), Grade and Shape Existing Roadside Section Linear Foot
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
Referenced in this section
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 827–830 of 1,489. View official source ↗