CITY OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
CHAPTER 2
EARTHWORK
ARTICLE TITLE
2.00 GENERAL 201
2.01 GENERAL CLEARING AND GRUBBING 201
A. GENERAL 201
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 201
2.02 TREE REMOVAL 201
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
A. GENERAL 201
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 201
2.03 TRANSPLANT TREE (SAPLINGS TO 6") 202
A. GENERAL 202
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 202
2.04 REMOVE & RESET FENCE 202
A. GENERAL 202
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 202
2.05 EXCAVATION 203
A. GENERAL 203
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 203
2.06 DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS MATERIALS 204
A. GENERAL 204
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 204
2.07 CONSERVATION OF TOP SOIL 204
2.08 EMBANKMENT 204
A. GENERAL 204
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 205
2.09 PARKING SPACE FINISH 205
A. GENERAL 205
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT 206
2.10 SUBGRADE 206
A. GENERAL 206
B. SUBGRADE PREPARATION 206
C. SUBGRADE STABILIZATION 207
D. BASIS OF PAYMENT 207
2.11 COLD WEATHER CONSTRUCTION 208
2.12 SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION 208
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 200
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
CHAPTER 2
EARTHWORK
2.00 GENERAL
Earthwork shall include all necessary clearing, grubbing, stripping and excavation within the limits
of the Work. Earthwork shall include but not be limited to removal of obstructions, removal and
disposal of unsuitable materials and debris, borrow, excavation, construction of fills and
embankments, park spacing, ditch excavation and any other item of Work necessary to conform to
these Standard Specifications, and to conform to the line, grade and cross section shown on the
plans, or as directed by the City’s Project Manager.
2.01 GENERAL CLEARING AND GRUBBING
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
A. GENERAL
The necessary removal of all trees and stumps less than 12" in diameter, brush, roots, shrubs,
trash, etc. within the limits of the project shall be as directed by the City’s Project Manager.
The debris removed shall be disposed of at an appropriate, off-site location. No burning will
be allowed at the site of the Work.
Roots 2" in diameter or greater shall be removed to a depth of at least 12" below natural ground,
subgrade, or finish grade elevation as directed by the City’s Project Manager.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
General clearing and grubbing shall not be measured and paid for directly. The cost of this
Work shall be considered subsidiary to other items of Work for which direct payment is made.
When called for in the proposal, clearing and grubbing shall not be measured, but shall be paid
for at the contract unit price bid as a lump sum for GENERAL CLEARING AND GRUBBING.
Such payment shall be full compensation for all tree and stump removal, removal of brush,
roots, shrubs, trash, fencing which is not to be replaced, and for all materials, equipment, tools,
labor and incidentals necessary to complete the Work in conformance with these Standard
Specifications and accepted by the City’s Project Manager.
2.02 TREE REMOVAL
A. GENERAL
Trees 12" in diameter or greater measured 24" above the ground shall be removed from the site
of the Work together with their stumps and roots 2" in diameter or greater. Existing stumps
and stumps resulting from tree removal, together with roots 2" in diameter or greater shall be
removed to a depth of at least 12" below natural ground, subgrade or finished grade. The
resultant organic material shall be removed from the job site and the remaining hole shall be
filled and compacted in conformance with these Standard Specifications.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
Trees 12" in diameter and larger and their stumps, removed in conformance with these Standard
Specifications and accepted by the City’s Project Manager, shall be measured and paid for at
the contract unit price bid per each for TREE REMOVAL _____" to _____" for the various
sizes called for.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 201
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.02 TREE REMOVAL (Continued)
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT (Continued)
Such payment shall be full compensation for the removal of the tree and its stump, backfilling,
disposal of organic matter, materials, equipment, tools, labor, and incidentals necessary to
complete the Work.
Existing stumps 12" in diameter and larger, removed in conformance with these Standard
Specifications and accepted by the City’s Project Manager, shall be measured and paid for at
the contract unit price bid per each for STUMP REMOVAL _____" to _____" for the various
sizes called for. Such payment shall be full compensation for removal of the stump, backfilling,
disposal of organic matter, materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to
complete the Work.
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
2.03 TRANSPLANT TREE (SAPLINGS TO 6")
A. GENERAL
Trees to be transplanted, as shown on the plans, shall be moved to their new locations using
truck or tractor mounted equipment designed to perform such Work. The equipment to be used
and method shall be approved by the City’s Project Manager prior to performing such Work.
When the new location is not shown on the plans, the tree shall be transplanted to a location on
the job site as designated by the City’s Project Manager.
Transplanted trees shall be staked and wired to provide support and maintain the tree in a
vertical position for a minimum of one full growing season.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
Trees which are transplanted in conformance with these Standard Specifications and accepted
by the City’s Project Manager shall be counted and paid for at the contract unit price bid each
for TRANSPLANT TREE (SAPLINGS TO 6"). Such payment shall be full compensation for
transplanting the tree, backfilling, supporting the tree, materials, tools, labor and incidentals
necessary to complete the Work.
2.04 REMOVE & RESET FENCE
A. GENERAL
Where indicated on the plans or in the Special Provisions, fences to be removed and reset shall
be removed by the Contractor, stockpiled during construction, and reconstructed in their
original location or at locations indicated. The Contractor shall use all salvageable materials
for resetting the fence whenever possible. When the material is not reusable, the Contractor
shall supply new materials in order to restore the fence to at least its original condition.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
Fence removed and reset using new or salvaged material, constructed in conformance with
these Standard Specifications and accepted by the City’s Project Manager, shall be measured
and paid for at the contract unit price bid per linear foot for REMOVE AND RESET FENCE.
Such payment shall be full compensation for all removal, excavation, stockpiling,
reconstruction, new materials when required, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary
to remove and replace the fence.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 202
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.05 EXCAVATION
A. GENERAL
All suitable material obtained from excavating the existing embankments shall be used as far
as practicable in the formation of fills or embankments and at such other places on the Work
as may be necessary. Excess excavated material shall be disposed of in appropriate areas
selected by the Contractor.
When unsuitable material is encountered in the subgrade beyond the limits of the typical
section, it shall be excavated as directed by the City’s Project Manager. The limits of such over-
excavation shall be approved by the City’s Project Manager and the material removed from the
subgrade, shall be hauled and deposited at an appropriate location. Additional suitable material
shall be obtained by the Contractor and incorporated into the fill according to the compaction
requirements specified in Chapter 2.
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
When over-excavation of material in a cross section is identified on the plans to establish
uniform density, the excavated materials may be used in the finished section, provided that the
compaction and moisture requirements in Chapter 2 are satisfied.
When the amount of suitable excavated material within the limits of the Work is not sufficient
or accessible in time to complete the fills or embankments, the City’s Project Manager shall be
notified by the Contractor of proposed borrow location(s) at least one week in advance of
construction. The use of the proposed borrow shall not be authorized until sampling and testing
of the proposed borrow material(s) has been completed and suitability based on compliance
with all project requirements has been determined to the satisfaction of the City’s Project
Manager.
When so designated on the plans, borrow shall be taken from the designated areas in
conformance with lines and grades furnished by the City’s Project Manager. When completed,
all areas shall be left in a neat condition with no sharp breaks in contour, and shall be sloped to
drain without causing damage to adjacent properties.
During progress of the Work, the excavation shall be maintained comparatively smooth and,
in such condition, that it shall adequately drain at all times.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
Final measurement of the various specified quantities of excavation shall not be made. The
quantity shown on the plans shall be an established quantity and shall be the basis of payment
at the contract unit price per cubic yard bid for EXCAVATION, OVER-EXCAVATION, OR
EXCAVATION BORROW. EXCAVATION when called for on the plans is the quantity of
material to be removed and subsequently used to construct embankments in order to complete
the required section. OVER-EXCAVATION when called for on the plans shall be the quantity
of material to be removed and re-compacted prior to completing the required section.
EXCAVATION BORROW when called for on the plans shall be the quantity of material that
must be obtained off site in order to complete the required section. All such payments shall be
full compensation for all stripping of vegetation, conservation of top soil, excavation, over-
excavation, compaction, incorporation of water when required, materials, equipment, tools,
labor and incidentals necessary to complete the Work.
When authorized by the City’s Project Manager, removal of unsuitable material shall be
measured and added to the established quantities as an EXTRA WORK item.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 203
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.05 EXCAVATION (Continued)
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT (Continued)
All the aforementioned quantities are established by average end areas of the cross-sections
with no balance factor used. These quantities do not include material excavated for pipe
trenches, inlets, retaining wall, bridge abutments or any other appurtenances installed in the
completed section. Those excavated materials shall be subsidiary to other items of Work for
which direct payment is made.
2.06 DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS MATERIALS
A. GENERAL
All excavated material not required or suitable for fills or other designated purposes shall be
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
removed from within the limits of the Work and deposited at an appropriate, off-site location.
Surplus materials shall, in general, be removed and disposed of before the subgrade has been
completed and before any construction materials are placed.
Surplus materials, if left on the project site and placed on public or private property, shall be
dumped, spread and finished to grades as designated.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
Final measurement of the specified quantity of surplus material shall not be made.
EXCAVATION DISPOSAL, when called for on the plans, shall be the quantity of excess
material measured in cubic yards which must be removed from the site and disposed of at an
appropriate, off-site location. All such payments shall be full compensation for equipment,
tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the Work.
2.07 CONSERVATION OF TOP SOIL
Topsoil shall be carefully removed and deposited in storage piles at the job site or as directed by
the City’s Project Manager for the purpose of parking space finishing. Topsoil shall be kept
separate from other excavated materials and shall be piled free from roots, stones and other
undesirable material.
No direct payment will be made for conservation of topsoil. Topsoil conservation shall be
considered subsidiary to other items of Work for which direct payment is made.
2.08 EMBANKMENT
A. GENERAL
EMBANKMENT shall be defined as the raised soil structure of the street and all other fill areas
associated with the construction of the project.
Areas to be filled shall be stripped of all vegetation and other debris. The stripped material
shall be disposed of as hereinafter specified.
Fills and embankments shall be constructed of approved material and shall not contain any
large logs, stumps, brush, sod, roots, weeds, debris or other perishable matter. Thoroughly
pulverized sod mixed with earth may be deposited in the fill only when authorized by the City’s
Project Manager.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 204
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.08 EMBANKMENT (Continued)
A. GENERAL (Continued)
No stones or rocks larger than 3" in diameter will be allowed in the top 2' of the constructed
embankment. No stones or rocks larger than 8" in diameter will be allowed below the top 2' of
the constructed embankment.
When widening existing embankments, the side of the existing embankment shall be plowed
or stepped and all stripped material may be placed at the toe of the slope before the placing of
additional material. All fills shall be placed in horizontal layers which shall not exceed 6" in
depth after rolling. Before rolling, each successive layer shall be leveled with appropriate
equipment. Only approved earth which can be suitably compacted shall be used.
Each successive layer of material placed as described shall be compacted by rolling to a density
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
of not less than 96% of the maximum density as determined by AASHTO Standard Method
T99. The moisture content of the earth in each layer shall be such that the specified density
can be obtained and shall be adjusted if necessary so that it will be between 2% below and 4%
above the Optimum Moisture Content, as determined by the standard test specified above.
When the moisture content of the material is too low, sufficient water shall be added to the
material before it is excavated or to each layer before compaction. If excessive moisture is
present, the material shall not be used or the material may be aerated until such excess moisture
has dissipated. If, in the opinion of the City’s Project Manager, the fill has been damaged due
to precipitation, retesting shall be required. If the retesting indicates excessive moisture, the
material shall be reworked or replaced.
The material shall not be compacted before it is thoroughly mixed and uniform in moisture
content as above specified. The compaction shall be accomplished with equipment approved
by the City’s Project Manager.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
Final measurement of embankment shall not be made. The quantity shown on the plans shall
be an established quantity and shall be the basis of payment at the contract unit price per cubic
yard bid for EARTHWORK MEASURED IN EMBANKMENT. EARTHWORK
MEASURED IN EMBANKMENT is the amount of material to be placed and compacted to
complete the required section. Quantities are established by average end areas of the cross-
sections with no balance factor used. Such payment shall be full compensation for all loading,
hauling, spreading, compacting and other materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals
necessary to complete the Work in conformance with these Standard Specifications and
accepted by the City’s Project Manager.
2.09 PARKING SPACE FINISH
A. GENERAL
The parking space is hereby defined as that part of the street right-of-way within the limits of
the Work, exclusive of paved street and exclusive of space actually occupied by sidewalks or
driveways. The parking space finish shall begin after the completion of all paving, driveway
and sidewalk.
The above specified areas shall be fine graded to the exact lines and elevations indicated on the
plans or as directed by the City’s Project Manager. In general, they shall be covered with a
seed bed, 2" in thickness, of selected topsoil reserved for this purpose at the time grading
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 205
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.09 PARKING SPACE FINISH (Continued)
A. GENERAL (Continued)
operations were performed. In the event that the reserved material is unsuitable, the Contractor
will be required to provide a suitable material. The layer of topsoil shall be hand raked and
shall be free from sod, stones, roots, clods and other objectionable foreign materials. All
objectionable material shall be removed and disposed of as hereinbefore provided under
“Disposal of Surplus Materials”.
B. BASIS OF PAYMENT
PARKING SPACE FINISH performed in conformance with the Standard Specifications and
accepted by the City’s Project Manager shall be measured and paid for at the contract unit price
bid per square yard. Such payment shall be full compensation for all materials, equipment,
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the Work.
2.10 SUBGRADE
A. GENERAL
The subgrade is hereby defined as that portion of the street or alley, within the limits of the
Work, which forms the foundation for the pavement or the curb or curb and gutter, and which
is within the first 12" of soil below the pavement. After all earthwork has been substantially
completed as herein specified, the subgrade shall be cut or trimmed to the exact lines, grade
and cross-section shown on the plans or as directed by the City’s Project Manager.
The subgrade for Portland Cement Concrete Pavement and Portland Cement Concrete Base
shall be constructed to a uniform density of not less than 96% of the maximum density (as
determined by AASHTO Standard Method T 99) throughout its entire width. The subgrade for
full depth Asphaltic Concrete Pavement shall be constructed to a uniform density of not less
than 100% of the maximum density (as determined by AASHTO Standard Method T 99)
throughout its entire width.
The moisture content of the earth in each layer shall be such that the specified density can be
obtained and the moisture adjusted, if necessary, so that it will be between two percent below
-2% and above +4% the optimum moisture content (as determined by AASHTO Standard
Method T 99). All soft or yielding material and other portions of the subgrade which will not
compact readily shall be removed as directed, and any loose rock or boulders found shall be
removed or broken off at a depth of not less than 12" below the surface of the subgrade. All
holes or depressions made by the removal of material, as described above, shall be filled with
approved material and compacted.
B. SUBGRADE PREPARATION
Immediately prior to paving, the entire subgrade for concrete pavement must be thoroughly
and uniformly manipulated and re-compacted with the methods described above.
The elevation of the subgrade shall be carefully checked by the Contractor using a template or
by such other methods as shall be approved by the City’s Project Manager. No subgrade shall
be accepted until it has been brought to the exact lines, grade and elevations indicated on the
plans or as directed by the City’s Project Manager. No pavement or foundation material shall
be placed on any subgrade before the same is accepted by the City’s Project Manager.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 206
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.10 SUBGRADE (Continued)
B. SUBGRADE PREPARATION (Continued)
The Contractor shall maintain the subgrade to the specified section free from ruts, waves and
undulations and in case any such objectionable irregularities occur for any reason, the subgrade
shall be reshaped and re-rolled as necessary.
The Contractor shall protect the subgrade from damage due to precipitation and no water shall
be allowed to remain on the subgrade.
If, in the opinion of the City’s Project Manager, the subgrade has been damaged due to
precipitation, retesting shall be required. If the testing indicates excessive moisture, the
subgrade shall be reworked or replaced.
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
C. SUBGRADE STABILIZATION
If called for in the plans or contract documents or as directed by the City’s Project Manager,
sandy areas of the subgrade shall be stabilized with the addition of cohesive soil.
This work shall include obtaining and thoroughly mixing the cohesive soil with the sandy
subgrade to the satisfaction of the City’s Project Manager, adjusting the moisture and
compacting the subgrade to the specifications as noted above.
It shall also include adjusting the grade lines to conform to the plans and disposal of surplus,
excavated or profiled material.
If called for in the plans or contract documents or as directed by the City’s Project Manager,
wet areas of the subgrade shall either be stabilized with the addition of fly ash or hydrated lime
or replaced with crushed limestone or crushed concrete.
This work shall include providing and thoroughly mixing fly ash or hydrated lime with the wet
subgrade material to the satisfaction of the City’s Project Manager and compacting by a
Contractor established rolling pattern to the satisfaction of the City’s Project Manager or coring
out the subgrade to the depth as shown in the plans or contract documents or as directed by the
City’s Project Manager, and replacing with crushed limestone or crushed concrete. The crushed
limestone or crushed concrete shall be provided by the Contractor and placed in the cored-out
area in 6" lifts and compacted by a Contractor established rolling pattern to the satisfaction of
the City’s Project Manager. It shall also include adjusting the grade lines to conform to the
plans and disposal of surplus, excavated or profiled material.
D. BASIS OF PAYMENT
No direct payment will be made for the preparation and compaction of the subgrade. It shall
be considered subsidiary to other items of Work for which direct payment is made.
SUBGRADE STABILIZATION performed in conformance with the Standard Specifications
and accepted by the City’s Project Manager shall be measured and paid for at the contract unit
price bid per square yard. Such payment shall be full compensation for all materials, equipment,
tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the Work.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 207
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK
2.11 COLD WEATHER CONSTRUCTION
Fills and embankments shall be laid only upon a surface that is free from frost. The material being
used for fill and embankment shall not contain any frozen material and shall be placed only when
proper spreading, compacting and bonding with the existing surface can be obtained.
General clearing and grubbing and tree removal or stump removal shall have no winter time
restrictions; these operations may be carried on at any time of the year. Consideration should be
given to inconveniencing the public as little as possible.
2.12 SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION
All projects involving items of paving shall be considered substantially complete when all items of
Work shown on the proposal or called for in any other area of the Contract documents are
completed to the satisfaction of the City’s Project Manager. Such items shall include but will not
This document was originally issued and sealed by Kristen A. Humphrey, E-10365, on 10-01-22. This media should not be considered a certified document.
be limited to: curb and gutter, Asphaltic Concrete pavement/Portland Cement Concrete (PCC)
pavement, driveways, sidewalks, alley returns, adjustment of manholes, valve boxes, water stop
boxes, backfilling, park spacing, joint sealing, and pavement markings.
Liquidated damages shall continue to accrue until such time as the Work is deemed to be
substantially completed by the City’s Project Manager. However, the Contractor may submit a
written request to the City’s Project Manager for approval to suspend such liquidated damages to
allow additional time for completion of minor items of the work, such as seeding, sodding, and
survey monuments. Granting the request for additional time by the City’s Project Manager shall
not relieve the Contractor of the Contractor's responsibilities for completion of those items for
which the suspension is requested.
2023 City of Lincoln Standard Specifications 208
CHAPTER 2 - EARTHWORK