(A) Clearing and grubbing.
(1) General. Clearing and grubbing shall consist of removing trees, stumps, brush, roots, rubbish, headgates and other objectionable matter from the right-of-way and such other areas as may be designated. Clearing and grubbing shall be performed in advance of grading operations and in accordance with the requirements herein specified, subject to erosion control requirements.
(2) Preservation of property. Existing improvements, adjacent property, utility and other facilities, and trees and plants that are not to be removed shall be protected from injury or defacement or damage resulting from the contractor’s operation.
(3) Clearing and grubbing operation. Within the right-of-way or limits established by the engineer all stumps, large roots, buried logs and all other objectionable material shall be removed 18 inches below subgrade or slope of embankments, or as directed by the Town Engineer. Tree branches extending over the roadway which hang within 20 feet of the profile grade or that restrict sight distance, shall be cut off close to the trunk or stem of the tree in a neat and workmanlike manner and in accordance with good tree surgery practices. Scars resulting from the removal of branches shall be treated with an approved asphaltum base paint prepared especially for tree surgery.
(4) Removal and disposal of materials. All materials shall be disposed of outside of the right-of- way. The roadway and adjacent areas shall be left with a neat and finished appearance.
(5) Removing and salvaging structures. The contractor may remove existing fences, pipes, aprons, curbs and/or gutters, sidewalks and other similar items, the removal of which is necessary in connection with construction of the project. The contractor shall dispose of the removed material, except that, as ordered by the Town Engineer, culvert pipe, castings and items suitable for reuse shall be protected from damage and be salvaged, and except that suitable material may be salvaged for riprap or bank protection. All salvaged items within the public right- of-way shall be the property of the town.
(B) Excavation and grading.
(1) General. This item shall consist of all excavation and grading of whatever nature, above or below subgrade elevation, required to bring the street, alley, curb, gutters, sidewalks, ditches or other areas to be constructed to the proper subgrade elevation, construction of embankments, excavation and proper sloping of all cuts, and other items of excavation not separately designated.
(2) Excavations. All excavations shall be made to subgrade elevations and shall be true to grade. Material below subgrade elevation in cuts shall not be loosened by plowing, ripping or other methods during the progress of the work except with the approval of the Town Engineer. No excavation shall be made below subgrade elevation except to remove unsuitable material as ordered by the Engineer. In the event the contractor does excavate any other area below subgrade elevation, he or she shall replace the excavated material with satisfactory material and shall thoroughly compact the same.
(3) Unsuitable material. Material that is unsuitable for the planned use shall be excavated and disposed of as directed by the Town Engineer.
(4) Excavation below subgrade. Whenever excavation below subgrade elevation to remove unsuitable material is ordered by the Town Engineer, the contractor shall remove the same to the satisfaction of the Engineer and shall replace it with satisfactory material in layers not to exceed six inches in thickness, or as designated by the Engineer, and shall thoroughly compact each layer to 90% compaction standard Proctor before the next layer is placed.
(5) Surplus material. Unless otherwise shown on the plans or specified in the special provisions, no surplus excavated material may be disposed of within the right-of-way unless approved by the Town Engineer.
(6) Embankments. Embankments shall be constructed up to subgrade elevation in layers not to exceed six inches in thickness and for the full width of the embankment. Each layer shall be thoroughly compacted to 90% standard Proctor up to the last 12 inches of subgrade before the next layer is placed and the upper 12 inches to be compacted to 95% standard Proctor. When borrow is required, it shall be taken from a source approved by the Engineer.
(7) Compaction of upgrade. After excavation (for new construction) has been completed to approximate grade, upon direction of the Engineer, the subgrade shall be scarified to a depth of six inches, wetted or aerated as needed, and compacted until a density equal to 95% of the density determined by the Proctor Method (AASHO designation: T99) is obtained in the upper 18 inches.
(8) Subgrade for curbs and gutters. Subgrade areas occupied by curbs and gutters shall be excavated, backfilled, and compacted to established grade. This work shall be done with particular care in accordance with all requirements herein.
(9) Subgrade for sidewalks. Subgrade under sidewalks shall be compacted to 95% standard Proctor.
(10) Slopes. Excavation slopes shall be finished in conformance with the lines and grades shown on the plans. All debris and loose material shall be removed.
(11) Dust control. The contractor shall provide and maintain adequate dust control at all times during construction operations. Dust control may be accomplished by water sprinkling or by other means approved by the Town Engineer.
(C) Pavement and surface replacement.
(1) General. All excavations that are made in a public right-of-way must be completely restored within seven days subsequent to acceptance of backfill by the Town Engineer.
(2) Bases.
(a) A minimum of six inches of select base material shall be installed and thoroughly compacted immediately beneath the paving or concrete patch to be installed, and no less than the base course immediately adjacent to such cut will be acceptable.
(b) In the event that asphaltic concrete base, soil cement base or other base course materials be encountered by excavation, restoration shall be made in kind subject to the approval of the Town Engineer.
(3) Bituminous pavement. Permanent hot mix asphalt cement patches shall in no instance be less than two inches in thickness nor less than the hot mix asphalt cement adjacent to the excavation, and shall be installed in accordance with good construction practices and these specifications. Prior to replacement of the pavement the exposed edges of the existing pavement and base course shall be neatly trimmed to a neat straight line by a spade, bit or hammer.
(4) Concrete patch replacement. When a concrete patch is used, the width shall be extended six inches on each side of the undisturbed trench shoulders. The pavement edges shall be trimmed to form a uniform edge to allow better adherence between material. Due care should be taken to assure that no voids or air pockets are left in the concrete or along the edge between concrete and asphaltic material. The patch shall be a minimum of six-inch thick concrete with a minimum of 4,000 psi crushing strength. The top is then to be sealed with asphalt oil and sand.
(5) Gravel surfaced streets. In areas where existing gravel surfacing is removed from the streets, the contractor shall replace the graveled surfacing with material at least equal in depth and quality to that removed, but in no case shall the surfacing be less than six inches in thickness. The existing graveled surfacing may be salvaged and reused if handled so as to prevent mixing with other excavated materials.
(6) Driveways and entrances. Resurfacing of driveways and entrances crossed by the construction shall be performed as outlined above for bituminous surfaced streets and granular surfaced streets for the particular driveway and entrance involved.
(7) Other surface improvements. Driveways, sidewalks or other surface improvements shall be replaced with a base course, six inches minimum, and materials equal in depth and quality, as that removed.
(8) Cleanup. All paved streets wherein excavation has been performed will be thoroughly cleaned and completely policed from all debris and extraneous material created by the work.
(9) Grassed areas. The upper six inches of the trench shall be backfilled with topsoil, fertilized and seeded. The seed shall be applied at the rate of one pound per 500 square feet, and the area so seeded shall then be mulched with peat to retard evaporation of water. The seeding shall be done at a time approved by the Town Engineer. In lieu of seeding, the Town Engineer may require removing and replacing the existing sod or sodding the backfilled area.
(D) Adjusting frames, covers, and valve boxes.
(1) General. The contractor shall notify the owner to make necessary adjustments. The frames shall be set to grades approved by the Town Engineer, or one-fourth inch below finished pavement grade, in a manner hereinafter specified. The contractor may elect to remove old frames, covers and valve boxes and to install new frames and/or boxes.
(2) Adjusting frames. The contractor shall loosen frames in such a manner that existing monuments, cleanouts or valve boxes will not be disturbed or manholes damaged. Should the frame or cover become damaged as a result of mishandling by the contractor, it shall be replaced by the contractor with a ring and cover of comparable weight, size and quality at no cost to the town. Debris shall not be permitted to enter sanitary or storm drain conduits. All loose material and debris shall be removed from the excavation and the interiors of structures prior to resetting frames.
(a) Manhole sidewalls that require adjustment shall be constructed at least eight inches thick by the use of common brick and mortar or class A concrete.
(b) Additional manhole steps shall be added for each 15-inch increase in the height of the manhole sidewalls.
(c) Manhole frames shall not be finally set until the pavement adjacent thereto has been completed. The manholes shall be left or lowered sufficiently below grade so as not to interfere with or form an obstruction to the preparation of the subbase, base, and pavement. The manhole openings shall be temporarily covered by suitable means and the work constructed thereover. Due care shall be exercised to prevent foreign material from entering the manholes. After the pavement has been constructed, the necessary portions of the subbase, base and pavement shall be neatly cut away, the manholes built up, and the cover frames set to grade, following which any surrounding area from which the pavement base or subbase has been so removed shall be backfilled with concrete.
(3) Adjusting valve boxes. Adjustable cast iron boxes shall, if possible, be brought to grade by adjustment of the upper movable section. It may be necessary to provide an extension to lengthen the box enough to match the required grade. An excavated area shall be filled with six inch concrete to the level of the existing pavement, or as directed by the Town Engineer.
(E) Concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
(1) General. The work covered by this section consists of portland cement concrete curb and gutter, curbwalk and driveways complete in accordance with the following specifications and the dimensions shown on the plans.
(2) Concrete. Unless otherwise specified, concrete shall be 4,000 psi minimum crushing strength and approved mix design.
(3) Subgrade. The subgrade shall be constructed true to grades and lines shown on the plans. All debris, roots, vegetable matter, deleterious, soft or other unsuitable material shall be removed to a depth of not less than six inches below subgrade or, when necessary in the opinion of the Town Engineer, to a greater depth and replaced with material satisfactory to the Engineer. The finished subgrade under curb and gutter shall be compacted to 95% of maximum density as determined by standard Proctor test.
(4) Placement. Concrete shall be placed on a compacted subgrade or base. The concrete shall be properly graded with the forms securely set to provide the section and surface elevations shown on the plans.
(5) Joints. Expansion joints and block joints shall be constructed straight, plumb, and shall extend through the curb and gutter or curbwalk section from top to bottom and from front to back. Expansion joint filler one-half inch thick, preformed bituminous- treated fiberboard, conforming to AASHO specification M59, shall be used to form transverse expansion joints. Expansion joints shall be constructed at the intersection with the existing curb and gutter, curbwalk and sidewalk, at all radius points and at 150 foot intervals and/or as directed by the Town Engineer.
(F) Bituminous macadam surface.
(1) General.
(a) Areas. Areas to be allowed:
1. Streets in grandfather subdivisions;
2. Parking lots (double chip-seal allowed); and
3. Alleys.
(b) How it may be used:
1. In residential areas only;
2. Can be used only with curb and gutter; and
3. Request for use must be made in writing to the Town Manager for a determination.
(2) Description. This item shall consist of a crushed stone surface with a bituminous binder constructed in accordance with details on plans and the specifications and shall conform to the construction design standards.
(3) Materials.
(a) Mineral aggregates. Mineral aggregates for bituminous macadam shall consist of clean, tough, durable fragments of broken stone, free from an excess of flat, elongated, soft or disintegrated pieces, and free from stone coated with dirt or other objectionable matter. The mineral aggregate shall be uniformly graded within the limits specified below for stone chips.
(b) Stone chips. Stone chips shall be of such size that not less than 90% shall pass a sieve having three-fourths inch square openings, and be retained on a sieve having three-eighths inch square openings. Stone chips for use in the seal coat shall be of such size that not less than 90% shall pass a sieve having three-eighths inch square openings and be retained on a No. 4 sieve.
(c) Bituminous binder. Such binder shall be RC-800 or an approved emulsified oil.
(4) Construction methods.
(a) Base. Finished base shall be one-half inch below the gutter edge and thoroughly rolled with a steel wheel roller prior to the first application of bituminous binder.
(b) First application of bituminous binder (with three-fourths inch chips). The first application of bituminous binder shall be spread at the rate of five-tenths to one gallon per square yard of surface. The bituminous binder shall be allowed to penetrate into the roadway for not more than 24 hours and the macadam covered by a layer of three-fourths inch chips and rolled. Care must be exercised during the rolling to cover the bituminous surface in all places so that the material will not adhere to the roller. Before the second coat of bituminous binder is applied, all excess material shall be removed.
(c) Second application of bituminous binder (with three-fourths inch chips). The second application of bituminous binder shall be spread at the rate of one-fourth to one-half gallon per square yard of surface area, the quantity between the limits mentioned to be determined by the Town Engineer. Three-fourths inch chips shall then be uniformly spread over the entire surface in quantity sufficient to prevent the asphaltic surface from adhering to the rollers, after which the roadway shall be thoroughly rolled. The rolling shall continue sufficiently to give a hard, smooth, finished surface. If the bituminous binder shows through the surface, additional chips shall be spread and rolled into the affected area.
(d) Final application of bituminous binder (with three-eighths inch chips). After the road has been open to traffic for a period of two and not more than four weeks, a final application of bituminous binder shall be spread at the rate of from one-fourth to one-half gallons per square yards of the surface area covered, as the Town Engineer shall determine. The area to be covered shall be the entire area of finished surface course and portion of shoulders as indicated on plans. Before applying this coat of bituminous binder, the surface of the pavement and shoulders shall be thoroughly swept. This coat of bituminous binder shall be covered with chips in sufficient quantity to take up the bituminous binder. Every portion of the surface shall then be rolled thoroughly.
(e) General requirements for rolling. All rolling shall be done with self-propelled road rollers, steel wheel and rubber tire, weighing not less than ten tons. All rolling shall commence at the outer edges and continue toward the center. Under no circumstances shall the center of the road be rolled first. Otherwise the time, extent and manner of rolling shall be subject to the direction of the Town Engineer.
(f) General requirements for bituminous work.
1. Bituminous work shall be done only when the atmospheric temperature is above 65°F and even then only during such periods as the sun is shining. This rule may be suspended by the Town Engineer, when in his or her opinion the same may not be detrimental to the work. No bituminous work will be permitted when the surface to be covered is wet.
2. Bituminous binder shall be spread only after May 1 and before October 1 except upon written consent of the Town Engineer, and no surfacing shall be spread preparatory to oiling which cannot be completed before October 1.
3. Bituminous binder shall be sprayed upon the roadbed by means of pressure spraying machines. The use of gravity distributors will not be permitted. The distributors shall apply a uniform spread of oil over the width covered by the sprayer. In order to ensure a uniform distribution of oil at the junction of any two applications the distribution shall be promptly stopped when a uniform flow of oil decreases, indicating that the tank is about empty. If, in the application of oil, any spots are missed, oil shall be applied to those spots by means which will ensure the application being made at the specified rates. The uniform application of oil will be required and distributors equipped with improperly spraying valves will not be allowed to operate on the work.
4. The bituminous binder must be delivered at the point required for spraying at a temperature not less than 300°F except for emulsion oil.
(g) Maintaining roadway. The contractor shall maintain the roadway after it is opened to traffic until the final application of bituminous binder is spread. All bituminous binder coming to the surface during that period shall immediately be covered with chips. The pavement, when ready for final acceptance, shall be thoroughly swept, compacted and the surface of the pavement shall present a uniform bituminized appearance.
(Ord. 2(1983) § 1; 1997 Code; Ord. 29(2005) § 68)