If you are doing construction for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), consult the links below for numerous details you'll need for designing, building, and pricing. The topics include standards, design-build, bridges, sediment control, stormwater, materials, access & mobility, and more.

Standards

• Book of Standards for Highway and Incidental Structures

  This book provides engineers and contractors with a complete, up-to-date catalog of standards for highways, incidental structures and traffic control applications.

• Standard and Supplemental Specifications for Construction and Materials

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Standards

  Here are the CAD Standards used by MDOT SHA.

• Laboratory and Field Procedures (MSMT)

  Use the Maryland Standard Method of Test procedures as a supplement to the Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials and the Book of Standards for Highway and Incidental Structures.

• Standard Specifications for Subsurface Explorations

  This work explores subsurface conditions at various locations throughout the state and provides drilling equipment, certified drillers, and driller helpers.

• ProjectWise

  ProjectWise facilitates collaboration on design projects between you (a contractor or other external entity) and MDOT SHA.
  

Manuals

• Design-Build Manual (PDF, 1.8MB)

  This manual provides MDOT SHA with comprehensive guidelines for managing, producing, and administering design-build projects. It provides policies and procedures for contract document development and assembly, project management and execution.

• Highway Drainage Manual

  This manual provides the design criteria for highway drainage.

• Maryland State Highway Administration Construction Manual (PDF, 813kb)

  This 2002 edition contains the most current standard specifications, construction practices, techniques, and record keeping.

• Stormwater Management Facility Routine Maintenance Manuals

  These custom stormwater manuals guide MDOT SHA districts managing the volume, flow rate, and quality of stormwater runoff before that water enters natural waterways or groundwater.

Bridges and Major Structures

• Office of Structures Manual for Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design

• Bridge Railing Manual (PDF, 3.75 MB)

• Structural Details

• Structural Design Guidance

• Aesthetic Bridges - Users Guide (PDF, 17 MB)

  Guidance about creating bridges with the greatest visual appeal.

• Federal Highway Bridge Program Guidelines for Local Governments

• PONTIS Element Data Collection Manual (PDF, 939kb)

  Instructions for using PONTIS/AASHTO bridge management software.

• Approved Proprietary Noise Barrier Systems (PDF, 36kb)

• Approved Proprietary Retaining Wall List (PDF, 109kb)

  This is a guide to building within the MDOT SHA right of way.

Products and Prices

• Qualified Producers and Product Lists (QPL)

  Use QPL to identify approved suppliers.

• Price Index

  The price index provides engineers, consultants and contractors with a complete, up-to-date list of prices on pay items used by and for the MDOT SHA.

Pedestrian and Bicycle

• Pedestrian Lighting Policy

  This policy addresses the issues pertaining to the warranting, funding, design, construction, and maintenance of pedestrian lighting systems in which the Administration will be involved.

• Accessibility Policy and Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities along State Highways

  This design guide was developed to assist the transportation engineer in designing public sidewalks and crossings that comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.

• Bicycle Policy and Design Guidelines (PDF, 7.35 MB)

  The document guides transportation planners and engineers about accommodations that improve bicycling in Maryland.

Aggregate and Sediment Control

• 2012 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

  From the Maryland Department of the Environment.

• Aggregate Bulletin

  Contains physical test values of samples taken from aggregate producers.

Landscaping and Environment

• Cultural Resources

  • Amended Programmatic Agreement - Inadvertent Discovery Plan
  • Local Agency - Inadvertent Discovery Plan

• Landscape Guidance Documents

  Directions on landscaping roads and highways.

• Reforestation Law Summary

• Roadside Tree Law Summary

• Soil Testing Laboratories

  Labs recognized by the Landscape Operations Division.

Traffic Control

• Lighting Design Guidelines

  Provides guidance on the proper selection and location of lighting that will provide increased safety, and sufficient visibility, for roadway users while maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing expenditures.

• Guidelines for Traffic Barrier Placement and End Treatment Design

  Research the design of traffic barriers and traffic-barrier end treatments.

• Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices - 2011 Edition

• Traffic Control Devices Design Manual

• Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Private Property

Signs

• Farmers' Market Signing Program (PDF, 481kb)

• Maryland Standard Sign Book

  The book contains design details about signs that can be used on Maryland highways.

Pavement

• Asphalt Pavement Distress Repair Guidelines

• Pavement & Geotechnical Design Guide

• Pavement Management Guide

• Pavement Type Selection Process

• Ride Specification

  Ride Specification provides guidance to using the Pavement Surface Profile.

Material Quality

• Material Quality - Resources

• Material Quality Partnering Meetings

  These are notes from meetings between MDOT SHA and industry about improving the quality of materials used on State highways.

Additional Standards, Specifications, and Publications

• Roundabout Design Guidelines (PDF, 2.4 MB)

  Learn the details of designing and building roundabouts in the State.

• Guidance for Local Public Agencies and Sub-Recipients of Federal Funds

• Highway Needs Inventory

  This reference and planning document identifies highway improvements to serve existing and projected State population and economic activity.

• Highway User Revenues & Grants

  Information about submitting Highway User Revenue (HUR) reports.

• Rumble Strips and Stripes: Guidelines for Application (PDF, 1.88 MB)

• Guidelines for Application of Decorative Treatments for Traffic Signal Cabinets (PDF, 438 KB)