What is meant by "common borrow" in construction?

"Common borrow" refers to soil sourced from outside the designated construction area and brought onto the project site for use in various filling and earthwork activities. It is typically used for obtaining the necessary soil material to achieve the required elevations or for backfilling purposes. This type of material is not specifically excavated from the construction site itself but rather obtained from a nearby location, often referred to as a borrow pit.

Using common borrow is crucial when the native soil on-site is inadequate for construction needs, whether due to poor quality, insufficient quantity, or specific engineering requirements. The material from common borrow can be altered to meet certain engineering specifications, making it suitable for construction applications.

In this context, the other choices do not align with the definition of common borrow. For instance, soil used from within the roadway pertains to materials that are already present in the construction area, while soil that hasn't been compacted yet does not specifically relate to sourcing from outside the project. Similarly, soil that is stable and compacted does not capture the essence of common borrow, which is about sourcing the material rather than its current condition.