SECTION 667 - LOCAL ROAD GRAVEL SURFACE, BASE, AND SUBBASE COURSES (Last Revised September, 2016)
667-1 Description.
667-1.01 General. The work consists of furnishing, placing and compacting gravel surface, base and
subbase courses in conformity with the lines, grades, thicknesses and typical sections shown on the plans, or as determined by field conditions and ordered in writing by the municipality.
667-1.02 Material Types. Provide materials as specified by the following options.
A.Surface Course. Surface quality material with a maximum particle size of 1 inch.
B.Base Course. Base quality material with a maximum particle size of 2 inches.
C.Subbase Course. Subbase quality material with a maximum particle size of 3 inches.
667-2 Materials.
667-2.01 Test and Control Methods. All tests shall be performed by laboratories accredited under the
AASHTO accreditation program. Materials tests and quality control methods pertaining to the work of this section will be performed in conformance with the procedures contained in the appropriate New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and/or American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) publications which are current on the date of advertisement of bids.
667-2.02 Materials Requirements. Provide materials for road gravel surface, base, and subbase courses
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 that consist of Sand and Gravel, approved Blast Furnace Slag or Stone that meet the requirements contained herein. Provide materials well graded from coarse to fine, and free from organic or other deleterious materials. Any gravel material will be rejected if it is determined to contain any unsound or deleterious materials.
A.Gradation. Perform sieve analysis in accordance with the AASHTO procedures T 27, T 88 or T 311. Report the following sieves for all tests: # 200, # 40, ¼ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1 ½ inch, 2 inch, 3 inch. Provide material meeting the gradation limits from Table 667-1.
B.Soundness. Material for local road gravel surface, base, and subbase courses will be accepted on the basis of Magnesium sulfate Soundness Loss after four (4) cycles performed according to NYSDOT procedures and Table 667-2.
C.Plasticity. Determine plasticity using the following method:
1.Plasticity Index. The Plasticity Index of the material passing the #40 mesh sieve shall meet the values in Table 667-2. Determine plasticity using AASHTO tests T 89 or T 90. TABLE 667-1 PERCENT PASSING BY WEIGHT OF GRAVEL MATERIALS Sieve (U.S. sieve) Material Type Surface Base Subbase 3" 100 2" 100 - 1.5" 85-100 70-100 1" 100 - - 3/4" 85-100 - - 1/4" 50-75 30-50 30-55 #40 15-35 5-20 5-25 #200 8-15 0-5 0-8 TABLE 667-2 TEST AND CONTROL LIMITS OF GRAVEL MATERIALS Material Properties Material Type Surface Base Subbase Maximum Soundness loss (%) 20 20 25 Plasticity Index 2-9 0-5 0-8
D.Elongated Particles. Not more than 30 percent, by weight, of the particles retained on a ½ inch sieve shall consist of flat or elongated particles. A flat or elongated particle is defined herein as one which has its greatest dimension more than 3 times its least dimension. Acceptance for this requirement will normally be based on a visual inspection. When the municipality elects to test for this requirement, material with a percentage greater than 30 will be rejected.
E.Fractured Faces. When the municipality elects to test for this requirement, Surface Course material shall have at least two fractured faces on 50 percent of the stone particles larger than ½ inch or at least one fractured face on 75 percent of the particles larger than ½ inch. Base Course material shall have at least one fractured face on 50 percent of the stone particles larger than ½ inch.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3
667-2.03 Stockpiling. Stockpile all material in accordance with the geotechnical control procedure
“Procedure for the Control and Quality Assurance of Granular Materials”.
667-3 Construction Details.
667-3.01 General. Use uniform gravel types and materials between the roadbed limits.
667-3.02 Placement.
A.Place the upper course material on the grade in a manner to minimize segregation, using equipment and procedures approved by the Municipality. Do not perform uncontrolled spreading from piles dumped on the grade.
B.The maximum compacted layer thickness is 15 inches, or as shown on the plans. In confined areas as defined by the Municipality the maximum compacted layer thickness is 6 inches. The minimum loose lift thickness is 1.5 times the maximum particle size.
667-3.03 Compaction. When the moisture content is within the limits for proper compaction, compact
the material in accordance with the requirements of Section 203, Compaction. Density tests are not required for the acceptance of these courses. If a subbase course has been disturbed by frost action prior to placing the next course, recompact the layer.
667-3.04 Traffic and Contamination. The movement of highway traffic over the final surface of the
base or subbase may be permitted at locations designated by, and under such restrictions as directed by the Municipality, provided such movements take place prior to the final finishing of this course to the specified tolerance. The movement of construction equipment on this course may be permitted at locations designated by and under such restrictions as directed by the Municipality. No payment will be made for furnishing, placing, maintaining, removing and disposing any protective layer. Include the cost thereof in the price bid. If a layer is damaged or mixed with the subgrade or any other material due to the Contractor’s operation, remove such material and replace it with the appropriate material at no additional cost to the Municipality.
667-3.05 Tolerance.
A.Surface and Base Course. Place material so that after compaction the top surface of the course does not extend more than ¼ inch above nor more than ¼ inch below true grade for the course at any location.
B.Subbase Course. Place material so that after compaction the top surface of the course does not extend more than ½ inch above nor more than ½ inch below true grade for the course at any location.
667-4 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT. The quantity is the number of cubic yards of material,
computed from payment lines shown on the plans or, where changes has been ordered, from payment lines established by the Municipality.
667-5 BASIS OF PAYMENT. The unit price bid for this work includes the cost of furnishing all labor,
material and equipment necessary to complete the work. Include the cost of adding water in the price bid unless the items for furnishing and applying water are included in the contract. No direct payment will be made for losses of material resulting from compaction, foundation settlement, erosion, or any other cause. Include the cost of such losses in the price bid for this item. No deductions will be made for the volumes
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 600 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 3 occupied by manholes, catch basins and other such objects. Progress payments will be made after each Type course has been properly placed and compacted. Payment will be made at the unit price bid for seventy-five (75) percent of the quantity. The balance of the quantity will be paid for after the final finishing to the required tolerance and just prior to the placing of the next course or Type. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 667.01 Local Road Gravel Surface Course Cubic Yard 667.02 Local Road Gravel Base Course Cubic Yard 667.03 Local Road Gravel Subbase Course Cubic Yard SECTIONS 668 AND 669 (VACANT)
Referenced in this section
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 983–986 of 1,489. View official source ↗