Pennsylvania Publication 408 — Specifications — Section 801

801.1 801.4 ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT

801.1DESCRIPTION —This work is separation and salvaging of topsoil or topsoil mixture encountered in

grading the project and depositing it in stockpiles at locations within the right of way.

801.2MATERIAL —

(a)Topsoil. Acceptable friable loam that is reasonably free of subsoil, clay lumps, brush, roots, weeds,

other objectionable vegetation, stones, other foreign material larger than 2 inches in any dimension, litter, and/or other material unsuitable or harmful to plant growth.

(b)Topsoil Mixture. Designated top 8 inches of existing soil collected and combined with organic plant matter such as vegetative slashings consisting of crushed or shredded branches, stems, bark, leaves, seeds,

and roots.

801.3CONSTRUCTION —

(a)Topsoil. After clearing and grubbing the area and before starting other construction operations,

remove topsoil from areas, as indicated or directed. Adjust equipment and methods of operation to avoid mixing subsoil with topsoil. Separate the topsoil from other excavated material and stockpile at acceptable locations within the right of way. Do not compact and do not stockpile topsoil in a wet or frozen condition. Satisfactorily and uniformly grade stockpiled topsoil not required for the project. Apply seeding and soil supplements to these stockpiles, using the formula, as directed, and apply, as specified in Section 804.3. Apply mulch of the type directed, on the s tockpiles, as specified in Section 805.3.

(b)Topsoil Mixture. During clearing and grubbing operations and before other construction operations,

shred all designated vegetation under 4 inches caliper in size using a crawler or loader mounted, self - powered, land clearing shredder capable of shredding vegetation to a desired maximum rough size of 12 inches long and 2 i nches in diameter. Collect and mix the organic slashings with the top 8 inches of soil to be salvaged, as indicated, or directed. Stockpile topsoil mixture at acceptable locations within the right of way. Do not compact material. Periodically water stockpile as directed.

801.4MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT —

Stockpiled topsoil and topsoil mixture is incidental to Clearing and Grubbing, Excavation, and Borrow Excavation.

802.1 802.4 (b)

802.1DESCRIPTION —This work is the furnishing and placing of topsoil from outside the project, as indicated.

802.2MATERIAL —Section 801.2 and containing not less than 2.0% nor more than 10.0% organic matter,

according to AASHTO T 194. Provide topsoil meeting the following grading analysis:

Sieve Minimum Percent Passing

2 inches 100 No. 4 75 No. 10 60

Sand, silt, and clay material passing the No. 10 sieve, according to AASHTO

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Specifications, 2026 Edition. Pages 726–726 of 1,522.

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738 GEOGRIDS

802 TOPSOIL FURNISHED AND PLACED