Highway Structures
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) maintains an inventory of over 6,000 structures (bridges, small structures, and retaining walls). The goal is to keep them in a state of good repair and ensure the safety and mobility of the citizens of Maryland. The Office of Structures (OOS) administers the SHA bridge program. It consists of two major areas, the Structures Engineering Divisions and the Structures Inspection and Remedial Engineering Divisions.
Structures Engineering Divisions
The Structures Engineering Divisions are responsible for the design of all structures on the state-maintained system, including new bridges, bridge replacements, deck replacements, large culverts and retaining walls. The Structures Engineering Divisions include the Structure Hydrology and Hydraulics Division, which is responsible for the type, size, and orientation of hydraulic structures required at waterway crossings.
Structures Inspection and Remedial Engineering Division
The Structures Inspection and Remedial Engineering Divisions keep state highway structures safe for the traveling public by regularly inspecting their condition, above and below water. The divisions provide structural analysis, routine and preventive maintenance, bridge painting and minor rehabilitation contracts that address structure needs.
Important Links
An interactive map showing publicly owned and maintained bridges across the state of Maryland, including those not owned by SHA.
The “poor” condition rating is an early warning to initiate preservation or replacement. OOS addresses all its bridges that are rated poor. That means we join the planning, design, advertising (for contractors) or construction phase of a project, or rehabilitate the structure to bring it into a state of good repair..
The information provided in this link refers to overhead clearance and permit load restrictions on Maryland Routes. The restrictions are maintained by the Maryland Motor Carrier Division and are subject to change at any time. To request hauling permits for oversized vehicles, go to
Maryland One.
The Office of Structures maintains several moveable bridges across the state. This link contains a chart with route numbers, time attended, phone numbers for attendants and additional information..
To honor Maryland’s engineering heritage and preserve the best of Maryland’s bridges across the state, SHA has identified several historic bridges to be Tier 1, Preservation Priority Bridges in our Historic Highway Bridge Program..
The Maryland State Roads Commission, the predecessor of SHA, retained the Baltimore-based Hughes Photography to photograph the construction of Maryland’s infrastructure from the 1920s to the 1940s.
Manuals and Publications
These guidelines reflect current practices for the planning of bridges and major structures within MDOT SHA administered contracts.
The Office of Structures has developed structural details reflecting current practices for common structural elements in the development of plans for bridges and major structures within SHA-administered contracts.
The Office of Structures has developed a Manual for the Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design of Highway Structures to assist engineers in the analysis and design of waterway crossings. This manual applies to all SHA-administered contracts, as well as all contracts receiving federal funding through SHA.
SHA has developed a Bridge Railing Manual that documents national policy and practice; it emphasizes standards and practices that have proven successful in Maryland. This manual applies to all SHA-administered contracts, as well as all contracts receiving federal funding through SHA.
The Office of Structures helps local governments develop bridge projects that utilize federal funding. This link provides guidance on the
Local Government Program.
SHA has developed an Aesthetic Bridges users’ guide that provides general guidelines for implementing aesthetics in the design of highway structures.
SHA has a program that assists communities eligible for help reducing the impact of highway noise under federally regulated criteria. The program is administered by the Office of Highway Development; additional information can be found through this link.
Approved Proprietary Systems
The Office of Structures maintains a list of approved proprietary systems for both noise barriers and retaining walls. These systems have gone through a rigorous approval process to be used on SHA-administered projects. Note that acceptance on the MDOT SHA approved list does not guarantee that the system will be acceptable for all SHA projects, as there may be limitations based on the system application and project specifics. For a proprietary system to be used on an SHA-administered project, it must be included in the Contract Documents at the time of advertisement.
Proprietary Sound Barrier Systems
Proprietary Retaining Walls
Contact us
Contact the Office of Structures at 410-545-8061.