2612.01 DESCRIPTION.
This work consists of mowing a strip of vegetation along the edges of shoulders, in the medians, and within designated interchange areas, and incidental hand mowing around obstacles.

2612.02 EQUIPMENT.
Mowing equipment shall consist of tractors with sickle type mowers, underbody rotary mowers, gang type rotary mowers, or other types approved by the Engineer. Rotary mowers shall be equipped with a suction type blade and safety chains or other approved protective devices. Sickle bar mowers shall have protective shields on all sections. Broken sections shall be replaced to insure a clean, smooth cut. An extra set of operable blades to fit available equipment shall be available on the project.

Each tractor shall be equipped with an amber revolving light visible from the front and rear, mounted at least 10 feet (3 m) high as measured to the lamp axis, and which flashes at least 60 times per minute but not more than 120 times per minute. In lieu of the amber revolving light, an amber strobe light may be used.

A standard triangular slow moving vehicle emblem mounted 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground with a dimension of 13 1/2 inches (345 mm) per side, a red or fluorescent orange flag, and a rear view mirror are also required on each tractor and shall be located as shown in the contract documents. The flag shall be 16 inches by 16 inches (400 mm by 400 mm) minimum.

The mower cutting height shall be set so that, after completion of the mowing operation, the height of the remaining stubble shall average 6 inches (150 mm), ± 1 inch (25 mm).

2612.03 MOWING TYPES.
The contract documents will specify the type of mowing required for the work. A notice to proceed will be issued to the Contractor by the Engineer for each mowing, based on the projected date when 50% of the vegetation will reach 14 inches (350 mm). The Contractor shall mow a strip of vegetation 15 feet (4.5 m) wide immediately adjacent to the edges of the shoulders and throughout the length of the project. This also includes outside and inside ramp shoulders.

The types of mowing are:

A. Metro Mowing.
Metro mowing consists of three to four mowings as stated in the contract documents. Approximate start dates are usually prior to Memorial Day, late June to early July, early to mid August (in a four mowing contract) and after Labor Day. Medians shall be completely mowed. In addition to mowing along the shoulder and in the median, all other accessible areas shall be mowed. This shall include foreslopes, backslopes, ditch bottoms, interchange areas, islands and along fences.

B. Spring and Fall Mowing.
Spring and fall mowing consists of two to four mowings, as stated in the contract documents. Approximate start dates are usually prior to Memorial Day, late June to early July, early to mid August (in a four mowing contract) and after Labor Day. Medians shall be completely mowed.

C. Fall Mowing.
Fall mowing consists of one mowing, usually after Labor Day. The Contractor shall mow the entire median.

2612.04 MOWING REQUIREMENTS.
The Contractor should examine the area to be mowed, prior to mowing, for objects that may cause damage. Objects thrown onto the roadway shall be removed immediately.

Advance roadway warning signs will not be required.

Mowing equipment shall be required to travel on the right hand shoulder of the main line pavement when not mowing. In no case shall travel be in the traffic lanes except to cross the pavement for purposes of mowing adjacent to the left shoulder. Existing median crossovers are for emergency operations and shall not be used by the Contractor. The Contractor shall confine all turnarounds to interchanges.

Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents, the Contractor shall perform all work during the hours of 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset.

Mowing shall progress in the same direction as traffic when mowing along the main line and right ramp shoulders. Mowing along the left ramp shoulder in the direction opposite the flow of traffic will be permitted if it can be accomplished without equipment using the left shoulder. The Contractor shall conduct mowing operations so that the equipment does not encroach on the traveled way. When mowing behind guardrail, the direction of travel may be opposite that of adjacent traffic.

The speed of the mowing equipment shall not exceed the ability of the mower to cut cleanly to avoid leaving a ragged appearance. The Contractor shall monitor its own operation and maintain the cutting edges in a sharp condition or replace as necessary to prevent unmown strips (rooster tails) or damage to vegetation. The mowing shall be performed in a single pass and if any unmown strip or damage to vegetation is encountered, the operation shall be suspended immediately and corrective measure shall be taken at no additional cost to the Contracting Authority. The cutting edges may be inspected at any time by the Engineer. Additional mowing widths are permissible to take advantage of wider mowing equipment which may be difficult to modify to the required width. The Contractor will not be paid for this additional mowing width.

The contract documents will specify the limits of mowing at interchanges and rest areas, if applicable. When more than one pass of the mowing equipment is required, successive passes shall be lapped to not leave uncut vegetation. More than one pass of the mowing unit may be necessary to accomplish the mowing. Bunching or windrowing of the mowed vegetation will not be permitted.

Hand equipment will be required for areas inaccessible to other equipment, for trimming around and under delineator posts, sign posts, guardrail, bridges, culverts, or other obstructions. Hand trimming shall be completed within 3 working days after the adjacent area is mowed with the tractor. This may include hand pulling of weeds. Any roadside trees, shrubs, or appurtenances such as delineator posts, signs, tile systems, tile outlets, etc. damaged due to the Contractor's operations shall be repaired or replaced at the direction of the Engineer, at no additional cost to the Contracting Authority.

When wet soil conditions result in rutting, mowing shall be suspended. Any rutting damage caused by the Contractor shall be repaired at the direction of the Engineer

Parking of Contractor vehicles and equipment will be permitted within the Interstate right-of-way only at locations designated by the Engineer, but in no case shall they be closer than 50 feet ( 15 m) from the shoulder. Parking of private vehicles within the Interstate right-of-way is prohibited at all times.

2612.05 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT.
The area in acres (hectares) shown in the contract documents will be the quantity for which payment is made. The quantity will be based on main line, center line, and ramp base line stationing, with the area calculated in. The length of shoulders at bridges will be deducted when calculating the quantity. The quantity at intersections of main line and ramp shoulders will be calculated so there will not be a deduction or a duplication of quantities. Additional mowing required around guardrails, obstacles, and median crossovers will not be measured separately.

2612.06 BASIS OF PAYMENT.
For the number of acres (hectares) of Roadside Mowing indicated in the contract documents, the Contractor will be paid the contract unit price per acre (hectare). This payment shall be full compensation for mowing in accordance with the contract documents, including mowing around guardrails, signs, delineators, drainage structures, bridges, and in islands and trimming with hand equipment.

When the Engineer determines mowing is not necessary due to factors such as the lack of vegetation growth during drought conditions, but hand trimming is still required, the Contractor will be paid 25% of the contract unit price per acre (hectare).