SECTION 803 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES 800-5 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES
803.01 Description.
Removal of Existing Bridge-Related Structures. This work includes the removal, in whole or in part, of existing structures (including culverts), which includes either the salvage and storage or the disposal of resulting materials, together with the restoration of disturbed areas. Removal and Disposal of Existing Concrete Masonry. The work pertains to the removal and disposal of existing concrete masonry including all elements cast within or attached to the concrete. The work also includes cutting reinforcing steel, where required, and the surface preparation of reinforcing steel and concrete before placing new concrete. This item of work does not include removal of deteriorated concrete for deck repairs. Temporary Deck Underside & Side Protective Shielding. This work includes designing, furnishing, fabricating, erecting, maintaining, removing, and disposing of temporary deck underside and deck side protective shielding at locations shown on the Plans and/or as directed by the Engineer. Ensure that the temporary deck underside and deck side protective shielding provides for the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians and provides protection for utilities. The use of the protective shielding will ensure that no debris falls to the roadway , sidewalks, or waterways below the structure. The protective shielding will be used for or in conjunction with deck demolition.
803.02 Materials.
Removal of Existing Bridge-Related Structures. Not applicable. Removal and Disposal of Existing Concrete Masonry. Not applicable. Temporary Deck Underside & Side Protective Shielding. Deck underside and side protective shielding may be constructed from timber, steel, or aluminum. Use steel and aluminum that conforms to SECTION M05. Use timber and hardware that conforms to SECTIONS M11 and M05. Use structural lumber that meets the National Design Specifications for stress graded lumber recommended by the National Forest Products Association (NFPA). Use a grade of Fb = 1200 psi minimum. Use a m inimum lumber size for underside shielding of 3 in. × 8 in.
Part 800 — Bridge Structures August 2025
800-6 SECTION 803 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES
803.03 Construction Methods.
Removal of Existing Bridge-Related Structures. Salvaged Materials. Remove materials that are designated to be salvaged for subsequent reuse by the Department and that the Engineer deems suitable for the reuse so as to ensure safe handling and transportation. Dismantle all structure components scheduled for reuse, matchmark with paint , and remove to avoid damage to any member. Furnish the Engineer a diagram showing the matchmarking of all dismantled members. Disposable Materials. Materials that will not be salvaged or stockpiled for reuse by the Department shall become the property of the Contractor. Partial Removal of Structures. Remove the portions of existing structures that will not be reused without damaging the portions of the structure that will remain to be reused. Repair any damage to the portions remaining in service at no additional cost to the Department. Restoration of Disturbed Areas. Restore all areas disturbed by the removal of existing structures to the level of the surrounding ground and compacted according to Subsection 202.03.3. Grade and blend t he areas with adjacent areas to provide a clean and safe condition. Removal And Disposal of Existing Concrete Masonry. Disassembly. Saw cut t he concrete in squares to a minimum depth of ¾ in. along the limits of the concrete removal. Remove all concrete, specified reinforcement, bridge curbs , deck joint hardware, and other embedded items by means of suitable power and hand tools that will not cause over - breakage, and properly dispose of the material. Perform all repairs resulting from over-breakage to the satisfaction of the Engineer at no additional cost to the Department. Perform the removal of concrete adjacent to the fixed or expansion joints, and all associated hardware, in the required stages. Equipment Plan. Submit to the Engineer for written approval, before the commencement of work according to Subsection 105.02, the methods and equipment to be used for removal and disposal, including any special removal methods adjacent to existing utility lines, and the methods and S hop Drawings for temporary shielding. These approvals, however, shall not relieve the Contractor of sole liability for damages resulting from his operations.
Part 800 — Bridge Structures August 2025
SECTION 803 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES 800-7 Temporary Shielding. When required, erect and maintain a temporary shielding system to ensure that no materials, debris, or equipment will fall to the ground, water, or below the structure or damage the structure or utilities supported beneath the deck. S ubmit Shop Drawings for written approval describing the details and design of the shielding system. Design for the anticipated weight of all material to be supported but not less than a live load of 100 lb/sq ft. Use a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Rhode Island for the design. Immediately retrieve and dispose of any materials, debris, or equipment that accidentally fall s to the ground or water below the structure. Do not allow the temporary shielding system to extend below the bottom of the bottom flanges of t he beams within the travel lanes of the roadway below. Do not initiate any concrete removal operations where shielding is required until the shielding is installed. Removal. Remove the designated portions of the structure to avoid damaging the portions that will remain. Ensure that the pneumatic hammer used to remove concrete adjacent to reinforcing steel that will remain is not heavier than the nominal 30-lb class. Ensure that chipping hammers or mechanical chipping tools to remove concrete near or beneath reinforcing steel are not heavier than the nominal 15-lb class. Do not place the power-drive hand tools in direct contact with the reinforcing steel that will remain. If the removal operation causes excessive damage to portions of the concrete that will remain, suspend operations until an alternat ive removal method has been proposed (within seven days) and approved by the Engineer. Any resulting delays in the schedule due to the suspension is a non-excusable delay and is the sole responsibility of the Contractor. Utilities. Provide all Utility Companies advance notice (according to the Contract Specification pages) for concrete removal operations that will be performed adjacent to their utility lines. This notice also applies if there are any deactivation of utility lines that are required. C onfirm the location, materials, and status of each utility line with the Utility Companies before any concrete removal. Use s pecial concrete removal methods during the locating and removal of concrete around existing utilities. These methods may be limited to chipping hammers or small pneumatic hammers that pose minimal risk of damage to the utility lines. S ubmit the special removal methods to the Engineer for approval before any concrete removal. The Contractor may, at the discretion of the Engineer, leave a minimal cover of existing concrete around the ducts (thereby leaving the ducts in place), if the new concrete sect ion has adequate thickness (minimum 4 in. from top of existing concrete to top of proposed sidewalk) and if a suitable bonding agent is applied at the interface of the old and new concrete. When required, provide temporary supports for any utility ducts that remain unsupported during construction. Repair all ducts, including inactive or empty ducts, that are damaged as a result of the Contractor’s operations to the satisfaction of the Engineer and the respective Utility Company at no additional cost. This repair work may include the installation of expansion fittings, backwall sleeves , and other incidental hardware, as required. Ensure compliance with any Utility Companies’ requirements or specifications for real time vibration monitoring.
Part 800 — Bridge Structures August 2025
800-8 SECTION 803 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES Operations. Clean the remaining concrete surfaces of oil, solvent, grease, dirt, dust, bitumen, laitance, loose particles, and other foreign matter. Roughen all sound concrete surfaces on which new concrete will be placed by mechanical means approved by the Engineer. Clean loose and small concrete fragments from reinforcing steel, stud connectors, and girder top flanges that remain in place by sandblasting and vacuuming. Before sandblasting, remove all petroleum contamination by appropriate solvent or detergent cleaning operations. Sandblast reinforcing steel and girder top flanges according to SSPC-SP-6, Commercial Blast Cleaning, to remove all contaminants, rust, and rust scale. Remove any surface contamination not removed during sandblasting according to SSPC-SP-1, Solvent Cleaning. When using sandblasting equipment, shield all work to protect the public. Do not bend or damage existing reinforcing steel that will be embedded in new concrete during the removal operations. Repair or replace all damaged reinforcing steel, under the direction of the Engineer, at no additional cost to the Department. Cut reinforcing steel by a method approved by the Engineer. Do not flame cut reinforcing steel. Properly dispose of all removed materials from the site as the work progresses. Do not store or bury material/debris on site except with the prior approval of the Engineer. Provide a means of dust control satisfactory to the Engineer, including the use of water and/or any alternat ive methods. Temporary Deck Underside & Side Protective Shielding. Erect the deck underside and side protective shielding at the required locations and limits. Ensure that all shielding meets or exceeds the following requirements: • Design and detail the protective shielding according to applicable AASHTO design codes and all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. • Ensure that the shielding extends under concrete decks, safety walks, and safety barriers to be removed. Ensure that the shielding extends horizontally a minimum of 3 ft beyond the bridge railings or safety barriers and that it extends vertically to a point 2 ft above the top of the bridge parapet or to a point 4 ft above the top of bridge safety walks or decks, whichever is higher. • Submit Shop Drawings to the Engineer for approval, stamped by a Professional Engineer registered in Rhode Island, according to Subsection 105.02 for all proposed shielding before installation. Provide Drawings that include details of all connections, brackets, and fasteners. Design the various components of the deck underside protective shielding system for the anticipated weight of all material and debris to be supported, based on the Contractor’s method and sequence of removal . The minimum design is for 150 lb/sq ft . Design vertical shielding for anticipated loads or a minimum of 30 lb/sq ft , whichever is higher. • Place and secure the shielding to prevent the shielding from being dislodged by wind. If the shielding is not secure, remove and correctly reinstall. • Place shielding to maintain the existing vertical clearance under the bridge.
Part 800 — Bridge Structures August 2025
SECTION 803 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES 800-9 • The Contractor may use the existing steel or prestressed concrete beams as supports. However, do not drill or weld to any existing or new beams. • Ensure that t he protective shielding does not contain any gaps or openings that could allow debris to pass through, and ensure that the shielding is sufficiently strong to support any debris or section of demolished concrete from falling onto the roadway or walkway below. If any existing portions of the bridge are damaged that are not within the scope of the C ontract, repair the damage at no additional cost to the Department.
803.04 Method of Measurement.
Removal of Existing Bridge-Related Structures. This item does not require a measurement for payment. Removal and Disposal of Existing Concrete Masonry. Removal of Existing Concrete Masonry will be measured for payment by the cubic yard s of concrete removed and disposed. Temporary Deck Underside & Side Protective Shielding. Temporary Deck Underside and Side Protective Shielding will be measured for payment by the square foot of shielding installed, including the deck side protective shielding, as required by the stage construction sequences.
803.05 Basis of Payment.
The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities as follows. Pay Item Pay Unit Removal of Existing Bridge-Related Structures LS Removal and Disposal of Existing Concrete Masonry CY Temporary Deck Underside and Side Protective Shielding SF Payment at the Contract unit price is full compensation for all resources, labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals required to finish the work , complete and accepted. The transportation of salvaged material and the removal of asbestos materials or lead based paint, if required, is incidental to the work. For Temporary Deck Underside and Side Protective Shielding, t he actual square foot measurement will be determined by the pay limits specified. No payment will be made for additional shielding beyond these pay limits, regardless of the approved design. Removal of concrete for deck repairs is paid for separately under the applicable deck repair items.
Removal of Existing Structures in other states
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