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.

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.

Pedestrian and Bicycle

• Accessibility 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.

Bridges and Major Structures

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, 33kb)

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

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.



Field Guide for Erosion and Sediment Control (PDF 47.9 MB)

Landscaping and Environment

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

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.

Utilities

Utility Policy (PDF, 601kb)

• Here you will find instructions about placing gas, electric, and other utilities on MDOT SHA rights of way.

Pavement

Pavement & Geotechnical Design Guide

Ride Specification

• Ride Specification provides guidance to using the Pavement Surface Profile.

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.

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.

Forms

Office of Construction - Forms and Documents

• Check here for a complete list of directives, forms, LPA Docs, manuals, memoranda, and utility documents.

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)