SECTION 905 — SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS, AND DRIVEWAYS 900-17 — SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS, AND DRIVEWAYS
905.01 Description.
This work includes constructing sidewalks, curb ramps, and driveways on prepared gravel bases at the required locations. This work also includes providing and installing detectable warning panels (DWPs), which are panels with truncated domes in an arrayed pattern, which is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) warning and directional systems for the visually impaired.
905.02 Materials.
Portland Cement Concrete. Use Portland cement concrete for sidewalks, curb ramps, typical driveways , and commercial driveways that conform to SECTION 601. Use Class A for sidewalks and Class XX for driveways. Asphalt Concrete. Use asphalt concrete for sidewalks, curb ramps, and driveways that conforms to SECTION 401. Use performance-graded asphalt cement that conforms to Subsection M03.02.1. Detectable Warning Panels. Provide panels that are gray cast iron conforming to AASHTO M105 and AASHTO M306. Ensure that the panels have integrally cast domes (detectable surface) that conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and have integrally cast embedment lugs for installation in fresh, unset Portland cement concrete. Provide panels for installation in such sizes and shapes necessary to create the intended surface indicated in the Plans or RI Standard Specifications. Ensure that panels are not less than 2 ft × 2 ft and are square shaped or “pie-shaped” to follow the radius of corners as necessary. Do not cut the panels. Ensure that all panels are new and unused. Panels that appear to have been mishandled or improperly stored will not be accepted for use. Other Materials.
a.Gravel Borrow. Use gravel borrow that conforms to Subsection M01.02.
b.Reinforcing. Use r einforcing, when required, that is wire-fabric that conforms to Subsection M05.03.1.
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
900-18 SECTION 905 — SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS, AND DRIVEWAYS
905.03 Construction Methods.
Scheduling Construction. Schedule sidewalk, curb ramp, and driveway construction activities to ensure that no areas are without concrete or asphalt sidewalks for more than seven consecutive calendar days. The seven days do not include the curing time. Remove sidewalks according to Subsection 201.03.7. The Contractor may be required to saw cut and remove the existing sidewalk 2 ft behind the face of the curb and complete the curb -related activities before removing the adjacent remaining sidewalk area. Where performed, saw cutting and any required temporary sidewalk patching material will be paid for under separate pay items. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Verify that the sidewalk can be constructed according to the Plans before commencing sidewalk, curb ramp, and driveway work. Do not remove existing sidewalk nor construct new sidewalks without prior approval from the Engineer if the sidewalks cannot be constructed per the Plans. Portland Cement Concrete Sidewalks and Driveways.
a.Excavation. Ensure that all excavation complies with PART 200.
b.Gravel Borrow Subbase . Ensure that the placement and compaction of the subbase complies with the applicable sections of PART 300.
c.C oncrete Driveways . Ensure that the depth of concrete and associated wire mesh reinforcement comply with the RIDOT Standard Details.
d.B ox Forms . Use box forms around all appurtenances that extend into and through the sidewalk. Fill all box forms with sand immediately upon placement of the sidewalk. Ensure that the sand is flush with the sidewalk surface. For the final material used to fill inside the box form areas, use the same as that specified for the sidewalk.
e.P lacing Concrete. Immediately moisten the prepared base before placing the concrete. Ensure that the proportioning, mixing, and placing of the concrete complies with the requirements for the class of concrete specified. Ensure that the thickness of the concrete is according to the RIDOT Standard Details with a maximum tolerance of ½ in. Comply with all applicable requirements of Subsection 601.03.
f.Fi nishing. Finish the surface as required on P lans. Apply a medium broom finish to all sidewalks, curb ramps, and driveways. Edge all outside edges of the slab and all joints with a ¼-in. radius edging tool.
g.J oints . Ensure that the expansion joints are filled with an approved, premolded expansion joint filler that is ¼ in. thick and extends through the entire thickness of the concrete. Divide sidewalks and driveways into sections by control joints formed by a jointing tool or other acceptable means as directed. Extend the control joints into the concrete for at least
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
SECTION 905 — SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS, AND DRIVEWAYS 900-19 ⅓ of the depth and provide an approximate width of ⅛ in. Do not allow the distance between transverse and/or longitudinal dummy joints to exceed 5 ft. Form c onstruction joints around all appurtenances extending into and through the sidewalk. Install premolded expansion joint filler ¼ in. thick in the joints. Locate expansion joints every 20 ft. Do not force premolded expansion joint filler into freshly placed concrete. Install expansion joint filler between concrete sidewalks and any fixed, smooth structure such as a building or bridge. Extend the expansion joint material for the full depth of the sidewalk. If the sidewalk abuts an irregular wall, foundation , or stationary object, locate the expansion joint filler 4 in. from the irregular surface and place concrete between the irregular surface and the expansion joint material.
h.Curing. Allow c oncrete to cure for at least 72 hours or until the concrete reaches a compressive strength of 1500 psi. Use moist burlap mats or other approved methods in Subsection 601.03.7. During the curing period, prohibit all traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. Prohibit vehicular traffic for additional time as the Engineer may direct.
i.C utting and Matching Existing Concrete Sidewalks or Driveways . Where a newly constructed sidewalk and/or driveway abuts an existing sidewalk or driveway, saw cut the existing sidewalk or driveway. After installation of the concrete driveway, match asphalt pavement adjacent to parking areas, walkways, and driveways within seven days.
j.Washout Facilities. Provide washout facilities to comply with any permits or requirements. Asphalt Sidewalks and Driveways.
a.Excavation and Forms. Perform excavation and use forms that comply with Subsection 905.03.3(a) and (c). Remove and replace all material within the limits of excavation with gravel borrow subbase.
b.G ravel Borrow Base. Compact gravel material in maximum 6-in. layers and loose in depth; the Contractor may compact one maximum 8-in. lift. Compact each layer as specified in Subsection 301.03.2.
c.P lacing Asphalt Sidewalk and Driveway Material . Place asphalt sidewalk and driveway material on the compacted base in one or more courses according to SECTION 401, and uniformly compact to the required depth and density. Provide compaction with a vibratory roller acceptable to the Engineer. In areas inaccessible to the roller, a plate compactor or hand roller will be permitted. Hand tamping is allowed only with the approval of the Engineer. Ensure that the elevation of the paved roadway matches the elevation of the existing driveway.
Part 900 — Incidental Construction and Services August 2025
900-20 SECTION 905 — SIDEWALKS, CURB RAMPS, AND DRIVEWAYS Detectable Warning Panels. Set the panels flush into fresh unset concrete at the required line and grade in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that the alignment of the panel is flush with the walking surface and oriented as shown on the Plans or the RI Standard Details. Ensure that there is no physical conflict with other castings, fittings, structures, foundations, or appurtenances. Ensure that panels extend across the full width of the curb ramp, blended transition, or path/trail that warranted the installation of the panels. Install panels utilizing their integral, interlocking or bolted connections to ensure that panels remain properly oriented to each other. Tamp the panels into place such that trapped air escapes and fresh cement concrete fills the vent holes. Do not use the holes to bolt panels into place unless expressly required by the manufacturer.
905.04 Method of Measurement.
Sand placed in box out areas will not be measured for payment for either the material, placement, or removal. Excavation and gravel borrow subbase is measured under appropriate work items. Detectable warning panels, removal and disposal of existing sidewalk, forms, trimming and fine grading, saw cutting of asphalt or concrete, expansion joint material, reinforcement, and washout facilities are not measured for payment. These items are incidental. Portland Cement Sidewalks, Curb Ramps, and Driveways. Portland Cement Concrete Sidewalks, Curb Ramps, and Driveways will be measured by the square yard, and includes concrete under detectable warning panels. Asphalt Concrete Sidewalks and Driveways. Asphalt Concrete Sidewalks and Driveways will be measured by the square yard.
905.05 Basis of Payment.
The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities as follows. Pay Item Pay Unit Portland Cement Concrete Sidewalks and Driveways SY Asphalt Concrete Sidewalks and Driveways SY The prices constitute full compensation for all labor, materials, and equipment, and all incidentals required to finish the work, complete and accepted.
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Blue Book), 2022 (Aug 2025 compilation) Edition. Pages 624–627 of 951. View official source ↗