The scope of work consists of furnishing all labor, materials, tools and equipment necessary for the maintenance of certain designated landscaped areas, including applicable planter boxes within the highway right-of-way and maintenance, inspection of irrigation system. All work shall be in accordance with these Specifications, best horticultural practices and the Highway Manual for Sustainable Landscape Maintenance (HMSLM). The location plan and maintenance of landscaped areas task and frequency can be found in the appendices. The Contractor shall bring the project up to specifications within thirty (30) days from the Notice to Proceed date. Additional time may be granted upon a request by the Contractor and approval of the Engineer. (A) MOWING. All turf shall be mowed uniformly at the required frequency stated in the Task and Frequency Matrix, Maintenance of Landscaped Areas. 1. During long dry periods, if directed by the Engineer in writing, grass height may govern mowing frequency. 2. The turf height shall be from one and one-half (1-1/2) inch to two (2) inches on medians and areas with foot traffic and four (4) to six (6) inches on other open areas along the highway for erosion control. 3. Remove all litter and debris prior to mowing. A bag chute shall be used to remove excess cuttings, or the area may be raked. 4. Along Cane Haul Road Only, the Waipahu Street Bridge to Farrington Highway, mow 10 feet from edge of road towards adjacent guard rail along off-ramp (Exit 8A) to Farrington Highway westbound and 10 feet from guard rail towards Cane Haul Road. Do not mow on areas between these two ten-foot areas, except as requested by the Engineer. These unmown areas are for erosion control. Along existing Right of Way (ROW) fence on residential area adjacent to Cane Haul Road, mow from edge for Cane Haul Road to existing ROW fence. Refer to 5. Clean and remove all clippings from hard surfaces, roadways and drainage swales by the end of each workday. 6. A payment deduction will be applied if trimmings are not removed by the end of each workday as specified in Deductions under Basis for Payment below. (B) EDGING AND TRIMMING OF GRASS. Edging and trimming of all turf cover along sidewalks, roadways, expansion joints and cracks, plant beds or structures shall be incidental to turf mowing. Monofilament line trimmers shall not be used around the base of the trees unless a tree guard is installed. Chemical edging is unacceptable. Conspicuous and deleterious weeds shall be cut at the ground line. (C) WEEDING. Weeds shall be considered as any undesirable plants not originally planted and noxious vegetation shall be defined by the “Hawaii Invasive Species Council List of Plant Species Designated as Noxious Weeds for Eradication or Control Purposes by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (06/18/1992).” All pavement expansion joints and cracks are to be maintained free of weeds. The weeding cycle shall be continuous and as needed. Weed infestation shall not exceed ten (10) percent of each designated area. All landscaped areas shall not exceed ten (10) percent weed infestation of each designated area within thirty (30) days after commencement of work. The Contractor shall use pre-emergent herbicides as necessary to control excessive weeds in planting beds. Conspicuous and deleterious weeds shall be removed by its roots in all landscaped areas. Removal by cutting or topping at the ground line will not be allowed. This requirement shall be strictly enforced. In maintenance areas without landscaping but only vegetative cover erosion control purposes, cutting or topping of weeds will be allowed at the Engineer’s discretion.
