Item No. 601

Salvaging and Placing Topsoil

601.1  Description

This item shall govern the removal, storage and placement of approved topsoil to the depths and area shown on the Drawings or as directed by the Engineer or designated representative.

601.2  Submittals

The submittal requirements of this specification item shall include the test results and soil classification necessary for approval of material as suitable topsoil.

601.3  Materials

A. Topsoil 

The topsoil shall be a clean, friable, fertile soil with a relatively high erosion resistance, free of objectionable materials including roots and rocks larger than 1 1/2 inches and readily able to support the growth of planting, seeding and sodding.

 

B.  Water 

Water shall be furnished by the Contractor and shall be clean and free from industrial wastes and other objectionable matter.

601.4  Sources 

The topsoil may be obtained from the right-of-way at sites of proposed excavation or embankment when shown on the Drawings or identified by the Engineer or designated representative.  The approximate quantity of acceptable topsoil to be salvaged from the project will be shown on the Drawings.  The topsoil may also be obtained from approved sources, which are located outside the right-of-way and have been secured by the Contractor.

601.5  Construction Methods

Precautions will be maintained at all times to protect all trees in the area of construction.  Where removal of trees is indicated on the Drawings, they shall be marked as directed by the Engineer or designated representative.

 

Construction equipment shall not be operated nor construction materials stockpiled under the canopies of trees, unless otherwise indicated on the Drawings and/or specified in the Contract Documents.  Topsoil materials shall not be placed within the drip line of trees until tree wells are constructed that conform to, "Preservation of Trees and Other Vegetation".  The source and stockpile areas shall be kept drained, insofar as practicable, during the period of topsoil removal

The existing topsoil shall be removed from the area indicated on the Drawings, stockpiled in a windrow along the right of way or spread over an area that is ready for topsoil application in accordance with the Drawings or as directed by the Engineer or designated representative. 

Trash, wood, brush, stumps, rocks over 1 1/2 inches in size and other objectionable material encountered shall be removed and disposed of as directed by the Engineer or designated representative prior to beginning of work required by this item.  Grass and other herbaceous plant materials may remain.  Large clumps shall be broken up.

After the grading has been completed to the required alignment, grades and cross-sections and prior to the spreading of the salvaged topsoil, any clay or tight soil surfaces shall be scarified by plowing furrows approximately 4 inches deep along horizontal slope lines at 2 foot vertical intervals.  The spreading of the salvaged topsoil shall be undertaken as soon as the grading has been completed.  The topsoil shall be spread so as to form a cover of uniform thickness indicated.  After the topsoil has been placed and shaped, it shall be sprinkled and rolled to provide a suitable seed bed.

601.6  Measurement and Payment

Salvaging, removal and/or placing topsoil materials will not be measured for payment, but shall be considered subsidiary to other items of work.

 

End