المملكة: Including notifying residents… 10 new requirements for road excavation and backfilling

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing issued a comprehensive guide for civil infrastructure works, which clarifies the requirements for excavation and backfilling, and the controls for protecting new and developed roads.
The guide stipulates that in excavation and backfilling work, the cutting and removal of paving layers must be carried out using a mechanical saw, or equipment with two parallel saws, according to the shape and dimensions of the excavation area, and that the width of the cut must be appropriate to accommodate the extension and installation of the facility according to the design plans.

Requirements for excavation and backfilling on Saudi roads

The guide obligates increasing the shear width when needed to use lateral support and under the guidance of the supervisory authority. It also prohibits the use of equipment that causes disturbance in soil layers, while using barriers, mesh fences, and indicative and warning signs to ensure traffic safety.
It was stipulated that the excavation be based on plans approved by the secretariat and under the supervision of the secretariat’s consultant, and that the comprehensive guide for excavation be adhered to in conducting all stages of excavation and closure.
The guide requires the contractor to notify the residents and those affected by the drilling work in the area 48 hours before starting, and to coordinate with the municipality to transport the drilling products to places close to the work site, especially in large projects, and then transport them later to the places designated for waste.

Paved roads

He stressed the need to take all necessary measures to protect these facilities and bear responsibility for any damage to them, or to any neighboring property.
The guide explained that among the requirements is that the bottom width of the excavation be greater than the outer diameter of the pipe in addition to 600 mm on each side, unless otherwise stated in the special specifications.
The bottom of the excavations must be leveled in accordance with the approved levels and inclinations, and the contractor must keep the bottom part of the excavations clean and free of unsuitable loose materials, and reinforce the sides of the excavations in paved roads when the depth of the excavations exceeds 1020 m, or make inclines to the sides in unpaved roads according to the design. And charts.

Digging in swampy soil

He pointed out that in the case of excavation in sabkha soil, the bottom of the excavation bed is reinforced under the supervision of a certified soil engineer, and the excavation trenches are backfilled by the end of the day’s work whenever possible, and the coverage of the backfill above the surface of the facility should not be less than what was designed according to the type and diameter of the facility.
The depth of excavation under the facility shall not be less than 30 cm or according to the approved design, whichever is greater. The guide stipulates that the necessary protection be provided for all road components, and in case of necessity, they are removed and then restored again.
The Ministry of Municipalities clarified that after written approval, the contractor must appoint one of the approved contractors for the work of asphalt patches at the Municipality. The contractor is not allowed to carry out these works himself, and the value of the financial guarantee must be increased to 15% instead of 10%, and its duration must be increased to 3 years from the date of Closing.

Types of drilling licenses

Types of drilling licenses, according to the guide, include a building connection drilling license, a regular drilling license, a multiple drilling license, an emergency drilling license, and a new plans license.
In order to issue this type of drilling license, it is also required that the work not be assigned to consultants and contractors whose work level rating is less than 80%.
This is in addition to presenting a comprehensive plan that includes the purpose and duration of excavation, the detailed method of repair work, and specifying a period of protection after the completion of all new road works.