What is referred to as a single lift of finished material that should not exceed 500 feet?

In the context of earthwork and construction, the correct term that refers to a single lift of finished material that should not exceed 500 feet is a "lot." Each lot is a designated section of work that typically has its own measurements, specifications, or sub-specifications related to the surface area and volume of material involved.

When it comes to managing and organizing earthwork tasks, defining this limit in distance helps ensure that the work can be completed efficiently and to the standards required. In essence, a lot is a practical way of segmenting large volumes of material or extensive projects into manageable sections.

The other terms mentioned have distinct meanings that do not align with the description given in the question. "Section" usually refers to a part or division of a larger area or project but does not necessarily define a lift of material in the way "lot" does. "Layer" refers to a thickness of material that has been placed, often in the context of earthwork lifts, but lacks the specificity of the distance constraint. "Breadth" generally refers to the width of a material or area, which is unrelated to the lift measurement discussed.