Public Works Authority

Assets Management Affairs

Roads Maintenance Department

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification

for Road Openings in the Highway

December 2014
Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

2 Materials .................................................................................................................................... 4

3 Specification and Procedure for Reinstatement of Road Openings in Major Roads.................... 5

3.1 Major Roads with 3 or more lanes in each direction (including Expressways) (Major
Road “A”) ........................................................................................................................ 5
3.2 Major Roads with 2 lanes in each direction (Major Road “B”) .......................................... 5
3.3 Major Roads with 1 lane in each direction (Major Road “C”) ........................................... 6

4 Specification and Procedure for Reinstatement of Road Openings in Minor Roads.................... 8

4.1 All Minor Roads .............................................................................................................. 8

5 Evenness of Surface .................................................................................................................. 9

6 General .................................................................................................................................... 10

7 Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 11

7.1 Major Roads with 3 or more lanes in each direction – Drawing SD 6-1-201 .................. 11
7.2 Major Roads with 2 lanes in each direction – Drawing SD 6-1-202 ............................... 11
7.3 Major Roads with 1 lane in each direction – Drawing SD 6-1-203 ................................. 11
7.4 All Minor Roads – Drawing SD 6-1-204 ........................................................................ 11
7.5 Reinstatement Detail Manholes – Drawing SD 6-1-205 ................................................ 11
7.6 Precast Concrete Seating Rings – Drawing SD 8-4-108 ............................................... 11

Issued: December 2014 Page 2 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

1 Introduction
1.1 This document, Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in
the Highway, is supplementary to the January 1992 issue of the Code of Practice and
Specification for Road Openings in the Highway. The content of this document supersedes
the sections indicated as follows:

a. Section 7.1 ‘Phased Reinstatement’ and Section 7.2 ‘CED Requirements for
Reinstatement’ as documented in the January 1992 issue of ‘Code of Practice
and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway’ are deleted and replaced
by Sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 of this document. The requirements of this document
shall replace Sections 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 as applicable.

b. Section 6, sub-clauses 6.1.1 ‘Surface levels of pavement courses’ and 6.1.2

‘Surface Regularity’ as documented in the January 1992 issue of “Code of
Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway” are deleted and
replaced by Section 5 of this document.

c. Appendix 4, ‘Drawings’ – 4/1 through 4/7 as documented in the January 1992

issue of “Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway”,
is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the details within this document.

1.2 This specification applies to all road cuts, trenches, manholes and similar constructions in
existing carriageways.

1.3 For narrow trenches of widths of 1.5 metres or less, as measured at the bottom of the
trench, backfill materials shall be in accordance with clause 2.1 of this document, as
approved by the Engineer.

1.4 All road cuts, crossings, and excavations in Major and Minor roads, shall be reinstated with
asphalt up to the Finish Road Level (FRL), prior to opening the road to traffic.

1.5 Major Roads are defined as roads with 2 or more layers or courses of asphalt comprising a
Base Course and a Wearing Course.

1.6 Minor Roads are defined as roads with 1 layer or course of asphalt.

1.7 The “Engineer”, as used within this document, is the person, persons or Overseeing
Organisation who has the delegated authority for the construction or maintenance of the
carriageway or facility, and who acts on behalf of the owner, authority or administration.

Issued: December 2014 Page 3 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

2 Materials
2.1 For trenches with a width of 1.5 metres or less as measured at the bottom of the trench,
and for manhole chambers or similar constructions where the face of the excavation to the
wall of the chamber is 1.5 metres or less, the permitted backfill materials within 1 metre of
the Finished Road Level (FRL) shall be selected from the following:

a. Controlled Low Strength Material* (CLSM) with a 28 day unconfined compressive

strength of between 0.3 N/mm2 and 2.5 N/mm2 when tested in accordance with
ASTM D4832;
*CLSM is considered to be excavatable by hand tools and conventional machinery such as
backhoe excavators.

b. Foamed concrete with a characteristic 28 day compressive strength of 5 N/mm2;

c. Fluidised Thermal Backfill (FTB) with a characteristic 28 day compressive strength

of 5 N/mm2;

d. SRC 20 concrete, which shall only be used for shallow utility trenches which
require a concrete surround.

2.2 The use of dense cementitious backfill shall not be permitted above land drain or soak-
away trenches where the flow of perched water may be impeded from entering into
trenches intended to lower or dissipate groundwater. Where instructed by the Engineer, a
high voids cementitious “no-fines concrete” backfill shall be substituted.

2.3 For the backfill of excavation below 1 metre of FRL, Selected Fill materials shall be used
conforming to QCS Section 6 Part 3.

2.4 Where instructed by the Engineer, the approved backfill material must be capable of
enabling Phase 1 reinstatement to be completed to FRL within 24 hours of placement.

2.5 Phase 1 reinstatement shall be brought to FRL with a further temporary layer of asphalt
prior to opening to traffic unless Phase 2 is carried out simultaneously with Phase 1. The
temporary layer may comprise either Base Course or Wearing Course.

2.6 Base Course and Wearing Course materials shall conform to QCS Section 6 Part 5.

Issued: December 2014 Page 4 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

3 Specification and Procedure for Reinstatement of Road Openings in

Major Roads
3.1 Major Roads with 3 or more lanes in each direction (including Expressways) (Major
Road “A”)

Refer to drawing number: SD 6-1-201 & SD 6-1-205

Phase 1 Reinstatement:

3.1.1 All permitted backfill materials within 1 metre from the Finished Road Level (FRL) to the
underside of the base course shall be proposed from those stated in Section 2 and
approved by the Engineer.

3.1.2 All service utilities under the carriageway shall be surrounded in accordance with the
service provider’s standard details and requirements.

3.1.3 Base Course (150 mm), with a minimum width of 1 metre, shall be laid in two layers of
75mm. If the existing Base Course is greater than 150mm, the existing Base Course
thickness shall be used. Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a
tack coat of emulsified asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2.

Phase 2 Reinstatement:

3.1.4 The minimum length of longitudinal Phase 2 reinstatement Wearing Course (50mm), for
any road cuttings, shall be 50 metres.

3.1.5 The minimum width (transverse) of Phase 2 reinstatement shall extend to the full width of
traffic lane, parking lane, or hard shoulder affected.

3.1.6 All asphalt reinstatements shall be machine laid using only approved Class A Road
Contractors.

3.1.7 Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a tack coat of emulsified
asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2. Joints shall be prepared by saw cutting to
a vertical face and painted with a thin coating of emulsified asphalt.

3.2 Major Roads with 2 lanes in each direction (Major Road “B”)

Refer to drawing number: SD 6-1-202 & SD 6-1-205

Phase 1 Reinstatement:

3.2.1 All permitted backfill materials within 1 metre from the Finished Road Level (FRL) to the
underside of the base course shall be proposed from those stated in Section 2 and
approved by the Engineer.

3.2.2 All service utilities under the carriageway shall be surrounded in accordance with the
service provider’s standard details and requirements.

Issued: December 2014 Page 5 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

3.2.3 Base Course (150 mm), with a minimum width of 1 metre, shall be laid in two layers of
75mm. If the existing Base Course is greater than 150mm, the existing Base Course
thickness shall be used. Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a
tack coat of emulsified asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2

Phase 2 Reinstatement:

3.2.4 The minimum length of longitudinal Phase 2 reinstatement Wearing Course (50mm), for
any road cuttings, shall be 20 metres

3.2.5 The minimum width (transverse) of Phase 2 reinstatement shall extend to the full width of
the traffic lane, parking lane or hard shoulder affected.

3.2.6 All asphalt reinstatements shall be machine laid using only approved Class A Road
Contractors.

3.2.7 Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a tack coat of emulsified
asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2. Joints shall be prepared by saw cutting to
a vertical face and painted with a thin coating of emulsified asphalt.

3.3 Major Roads with 1 lane in each direction (Major Road “C”)

Refer to drawing number: SD 6-1-203 & SD 6-1-205

Phase 1 Reinstatement:

3.3.1 All permitted backfill materials within 1 metre from the Finished Road Level (FRL) to the
underside of the base course shall be proposed from those stated in Section 2 and
approved by the Engineer.

3.3.2 All service utilities under the carriageway shall be surrounded in accordance with the
service provider’s standard details and requirements.

3.3.3 Base Course (150 mm), with a minimum width of 1 metre, shall be laid in two layers of
75mm. If the existing Base Course is greater than 150mm, the existing Base Course
thickness shall be used. Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a
tack coat of emulsified asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2.

Phase 2 Reinstatement:

3.3.4 The minimum length of longitudinal Phase 2 reinstatement Wearing Course (50mm), for
any road cuttings, shall be 20 metres.

3.3.5 The minimum width (transverse) of Phase 2 reinstatement shall extend to the full width of
traffic lane, parking lane or hard shoulder affected.

3.3.6 All asphalt reinstatements shall be machine laid using only approved Class A Road
Contractors.

Issued: December 2014 Page 6 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

3.3.7 Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a tack coat of emulsified
asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2. Joints shall be prepared by saw cutting to
a vertical face and painted with a thin coating of emulsified asphalt.

Issued: December 2014 Page 7 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

4 Specification and Procedure for Reinstatement of Road Openings in

Minor Roads
4.1 All Minor Roads

Refer to drawing number: SD 6-1-204 & SD 6-1-205

Phase 1 Reinstatement:

4.1.1 All permitted backfill materials within 1 metre from the Finished Road Level (FRL) to the
underside of the base course shall be proposed from those stated in Section 2 and
approved by the Engineer.

4.1.2 All service utilities under the carriageway shall be surrounded in accordance with the
service provider’s standard details and requirements.

4.1.3 An additional layer of Base Course (90 mm) with a minimum width of 1 metre shall be laid
and compacted between the approved backfill material and the upper construction asphalt
layer. Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a tack coat of
emulsified asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2.

Phase 2 Reinstatement:

4.1.4 The minimum length of longitudinal Phase 2 reinstatement Base Course Class B (70mm),
for any road cuttings, shall be 20 metres.

4.1.5 The minimum width (transverse) of Phase 2 reinstatement shall extend to the full width of
traffic lane, parking lane or hard shoulder affected.

4.1.6 All asphalt reinstatements shall be machine laid using only approved Class A or B Road
Contractors.

4.1.7 Before laying asphalt, the receiving course shall be clean and a tack coat of emulsified
asphalt applied at the rate of 0.15 – 0.38 kg/m2. Joints shall be prepared by saw cutting to
a vertical face and painted with a thin coating of emulsified asphalt.

Issued: December 2014 Page 8 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

5 Evenness of Surface
5.1 The Engineer shall test the evenness of surface for each course of the various asphalt
paving courses to determine the compliance.

5.2 The Contractor shall put at the disposal of the Engineer a 3 metre long straight edge and a
crown template of sturdy and approved design and adequate staff to assist in the checking
operations.

5.3 Any layer containing deviations or variations exceeding the tolerance(s) specified here,
shall be corrected or removed and replaced in accordance with the instructions and
satisfaction of the Engineer.

5.4 The longitudinal regularity of the road surface upon completion shall be within the relevant
limits given in Table A.

Table A: Irregularities in Surface Evenness

Irregularity >4 mm

Length of Reinstatement (m) 50 20

Maximum permitted irregularities 6 4

5.5 Any irregularity is a variation of not less than 4 mm of the profile of the road surface as
measured by a rolling straight edge. No irregularity exceeding 6mm shall be permitted.

5.6 Compliance with Table A above shall be tested with a rolling straight edge along any line or
lines parallel to the centre line of the pavement on the lengths of sections as stated in Table
A and as selected by the Engineer.

5.7 Pavements shall also be measured transversely for irregularities at points decided by the
Engineer using a 3 metre long straight edge placed at right angles to the centre line of the
road. The maximum allowable difference between the pavement surface and the straight
edge shall be 3 mm.

Issued: December 2014 Page 9 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

6 General
6.1 All road cuts, crossings, and excavations in Major and Minor roads, shall be reinstated with
asphalt up to the Finish Road Level (FRL), prior to opening the road to traffic. This shall
apply to Phase 1 reinstatements.

6.2 For road openings located in the vicinity of an intersection, the reinstatement of the wearing
course shall not extend beyond the stop line of the approach, or as directed by the
Engineer.

6.3 If the road is opened to traffic without asphalt reinstatements:

a. The Engineer may hold and fully stop the approval of current and future Road
Openings applied for the concerned Contractor, until the road opening is correctly
reinstated and accepted by the Engineer.

b. The Engineer reserves the right to use its Emergency Contractor to correctly
reinstate the road opening (up to Phase 1 reinstatement) and invoice the total cost
of the reinstatement to the Concerned Authority. The Total Cost for the Emergency
Works reinstatement will include special call out and mobilisation costs as per the
Roads Engineer’s Emergency Contract and the Engineer’s Administrative costs. The
Concerned Authority shall still be responsible for the Phase 2 reinstatements up to
the full completion of all the works.

6.4 All Phase 2 reinstatements shall be completed within 28 days after completion of the works
and opening the road to traffic.

6.5 Where carriageways are scheduled for future full reconstruction or resurfacing, Phase 2
reinstatement may be deleted with prior written approval of the Public Works Authority
Roads Maintenance Department. Phase 1 reinstatement shall be in accordance with this
specification.

6.6 The Engineer shall not issue a Practical Completion Certificate (PCC) for any contract until
Phase 2 reinstatements have been completed to the satisfaction of the Public Works
Authority and all costs, if any, with respect to Emergency Works undertaken by the
Engineer have been fully paid.

Issued: December 2014 Page 10 of 11

Amendment to the Code of Practice and Specification for Road Openings in the Highway

7 Appendices
7.1 Major Roads with 3 or more lanes in each direction: Drawing SD 6-1-201

7.2 Major Roads with 2 lanes in each direction: Drawing SD 6-1-202

7.3 Major Roads with 1 lane in each direction: Drawing SD 6-1-203

7.4 All Minor Roads: Drawing SD 6-1-204

7.5 Reinstatement Detail Manholes: Drawing SD 6-1-205

7.6 Precast Concrete Seating Rings: Drawing SD 8-4-108

Issued: December 2014 Page 11 of 11

 NOTES:
PHASE 1 REINSTATEMENT:

PHASE 2 REINSTATEMENT:

·
·
·
·

GENERAL:

REFERENCES:

0 07DEC14 ISSUED FOR USE

Rev. Date Revision Details Appd.

QCS Section:
Section 6 - Road Works
Part 1 - General
Drawing Title:

REINSTATEMENT DETAILS
MAJOR ROADS
(3 LANES OR MORE )
Approved: Sheet No:
MBJ 1 OF 1
Date: Scale:
DECEMBER 2014 AS SHOWN
Drawing Number: Revision:

SD 6-1-201 0
 NOTES:
PHASE 1 REINSTATEMENT:

·
· PHASE 2 REINSTATEMENT:
·
·

GENERAL:

REFERENCES:

0 07DEC14 ISSUED FOR USE

Rev. Date Revision Details Appd.

QCS Section:
Section 6 - Road Works
Part 1 - General
Drawing Title:

REINSTATEMENT DETAIL
MAJOR ROADS
(2 LANES EACH DIRECTION)
Approved: Sheet No:
MBJ 1 OF 1
Date: Scale:
DECEMBER 2014 AS SHOWN
Drawing Number: Revision:

SD 6-1-202 0
 NOTES:
PHASE 1 REINSTATEMENT:

·
·
· PHASE 2 REINSTATEMENT:
·

GENERAL:

REFERENCES:

0 07DEC14 ISSUED FOR USE

Rev. Date Revision Details Appd.

QCS Section:
Section 6 - Road Works
Part 1 - General
Drawing Title:

REINSTATEMENT DETAIL
MAJOR ROADS
(1 LANE EACH DIRECTION)
Approved: Sheet No:
MBJ 1 OF 1
Date: Scale:
DECEMBER 2014 AS SHOWN
Drawing Number: Revision:

SD 6-1-203 0
 NOTES:
PHASE 1 REINSTATEMENT:

·
·
·
·

PHASE 2 REINSTATEMENT:

GENERAL:

REFERENCES:

0 07DEC14 ISSUED FOR USE

Rev. Date Revision Details Appd.

QCS Section:
Section 6 - Road Works
Part 1 - General
Drawing Title:

REINSTATEMENT DETAIL
MINOR ROADS

Approved: Sheet No:

MBJ 1 OF 1
Date: Scale:
DECEMBER 2014 AS SHOWN
Drawing Number: Revision:

SD 6-1-204 0
 NOTES:
PHASE 1 REINSTATEMENT:

PHASE 2 REINSTATEMENT:

·
·
·
·

GENERAL:

REFERENCES:

0 07DEC14 ISSUED FOR USE

Rev. Date Revision Details Appd.

QCS Section:
Section 6 - Road Works
Part 1 - General
Drawing Title:

REINSTATEMENT DETAIL
MANHOLES

Approved: Sheet No:

MBJ 1 OF 1
Date: Scale:
DECEMBER 2014 AS SHOWN
Drawing Number: Revision:

SD 6-1-205 0
 NOTES:
M:\01 CAD\01_WIP\Standard Details\Section 8 - Sewerage\Part 4 - Pipeline Installation\Series 100 - General\SD 8-4-108.dwg, 30/11/2014 15:18:06

0 15SEP13 ISSUED FOR USE

Rev. Date Revision Details Appd.

QCS Section:
Section 8 - Sewerage
Part 4 - Pipeline Installation
Drawing Title:

MANHOLE COVER SLAB &

SEATING RING DETAILS

Approved: Sheet No:

1 OF 1
Date: Scale:
SEPTEMBER 2013 NTS
Drawing Number: Revision:

SD 8-4-108 0