M Standard Plans & Other Resources
Download the CDOT M Standard Plans book, individual plan sheets, revision lists, and CAD files for roadway design projects. View current technical standards, update notices, and transition guidelines for the digital-only 2026 M Standard Plans release.
The CDOT M Standard Plans book is available exclusively online and is no longer printed or sold in physical format.
2026 M Standard Plans Book & Plans List
The 2026 CDOT M Standard Plans book is now available. Its use is optional through August 2026 and becomes mandatory starting September 1.
Download the 2026 M Standards Book
The M Standard Plans List must be inserted into all Design Plan Sets. Use the checkboxes to designate which new or revised M Standards apply to the project.
Download the 11x17 Sheet DGN Download the 11x17 Sheet PDF
An 8.5"x11" sheet is also available. Include this page in your plan set to designate which new or revised M Standards apply to the project.
Download the 8.5x11 Sheet DGN Download the 8.5x11 Sheet PDF
2019 M Standard Plans & Addenda
- 2019 M&S Standard Plans List (issued on 1/16/2026)
- This sheet is inserted into the Design Plans set. It is used to show which New or Revised M&S Standards will be used by filling in the Standard's corresponding checkbox.
- Download the required plan sheets in DGN or PDF format below:
- 11"x17" sheet - DGN File; PDF Format
- 8.5"x11" sheet - DGN File; PDF Format
- 2019 M Standard Plans Book (issued July 31, 2019)
- 2019 M Standard Plans Addenda (issued on April 25, 2025)
- 2019 M Standard Plans
- Access individual 2019 M Standard Plans below. Downloads are available in PDF format only (CAD and MicroStation formats are not provided).
| Plan Number | Plan Name (Number of sheets if 2 or more) - Description |
| M-100-1 | Standard Symbols (3 Sheets) - Symbols, line types, and patterns for plan sheets |
| M-100-2 | Acronyms and Abbreviations (4 sheets) - Acronyms and abbreviations that may be used in plan sheets |
| M-203-1 | Approach Roads - Approach road and median cross over geometry |
| M-203-2 | Ditch Types - Plan view, concrete-lined and grass-lined sections, cut and embankment sections |
| M-203-11 | Superelevation Crowned and Divided Highways (3 Sheets) - Superelevation rates and runout |
| M-203-12 | Superelevation Streets (2 Sheets) - Superelevation rates and runout diagrams |
| M-206-1 | Excavation and Backfill for Structures (2 Sheets) - Excavation, backfill, embankment, bedding |
| M-206-2 | Excavation and Backfill for Bridges (2 Sheets) - Structure excavation and structure backfill |
| M-208-1 | Temporary Erosion Control (11 Sheets) - Typical applications for erosion control features (Issued on May 16, 2024) |
| M-210-1 | Mailbox Supports (2 Sheets) - Details for several different installations, mailbox turnouts |
| M-214-1 | Nursery Stock Details - Details for planting trees and shrubbery |
| Soil Retention Covering (2 Sheets) - Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs) Slope Application used in steeper slopes, adverse soil, and higher hydraulic stress applications | |
| M-400-1 | SafetyEdge for Pavement - Allows drivers who drift off roads to safely return to the road (Issued on April 25, 2025) (SafetyEdge Information Sheet) |
| M-412-1 | Concrete Pavement Joints (9 Sheets) - Joint and dowel bar placement for concrete roadways (Issued on January 31, 2022) |
| M-412-2 | Concrete Pavement Crack Repair (6 sheets) - Details of cross stitching, slot, and dowel retrofit (Issued on September 6, 2022) |
| M-510-1 | Structural Plate Pipe H-20 Loading - Structural plate pipe H-20 loading tables |
| M-601-1 | Single Concrete Box Culvert (Cast-in-Place) (2 Sheets) - Single cell concrete box culvert details and tables |
| M-601-2 | Double Concrete Box Culvert (Cast-in-Place) (2 Sheets) - Double cell concrete box culvert details and tables |
| M-601-3 | Triple Concrete Box Culvert (Cast-in-Place) (2 Sheets) - Triple cell concrete box culvert details and tables |
| M-601-10 | Headwall for Pipes - Headwall quantity tables including connection to wingwalls |
| M-601-11 | Type "S" Saddle Headwalls for Pipe - Headwall quantity tables |
| M-601-12 | Headwalls and Pipe Outlet Paving - Headwall tables, and outlet paving for pipes 48" diameters or less |
| M-601-20 | Wingwalls for Pipe or Box Culverts (2 Sheets) - Tables for quantities, connections, toe wall and apron |
| M-603-1 | Metal Pipe (4 Sheets) - Tables for metal pipes, including cover limits and bedding |
| M-603-2 | Reinforced Concrete Pipe - Tables for RCP including cover limits, and bedding requirements |
| M-603-3 | Precast Concrete Box Culvert - Installation of Precast CBCs, bedding, and joint requirements (Issued on September 10, 2020) |
| M-603-4 | Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe (AASHTO M294) and Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe (AASHTO M330) (2 sheets) - Installation and cover height for corrugated polyethylene pipes (Issued on March 7, 2022) |
| M-603-5 | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe (AASHTO M304) - Installation and cover height for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes |
| M-603-6 | Steel Reinforced Polyethylene Ribbed Pipe (AASHTO MP 20) - Details for the installation of Steel Reinforced Polyethylene Ribbed Pipe (AASHTO MP 20) |
| M-603-10 | Concrete and Metal End Sections - Tables for common pipe end sections |
| M-603-12 | Traversable End Sections and Safety Grates (3 Sheets) - Traversable end sections and grates for metal and concrete drainage pipes |
| M-604-10 | Inlet, Type C - Inlet details for pipe 30 inches or less inside diameter |
| M-604-11 | Inlet, Type D - Inlet details for pipe 42 inches or less inside diameter |
| M-604-12 | Curb Inlet Type R (2 Sheets) - Inlet details with quantity tables and rebar bending diagrams |
| M-604-13 | Concrete Inlet Type 13 - Drop inlet for gutter pans |
| M-604-20 | Manholes (3 Sheets) - Cast-in-place, pre-cast, and T-base manhole details |
| M-604-25 | Vane Grate Inlet (5 Sheets) - Rebar details and quantity tables for 36 inch and 72 inch inlets (Issued on February 3, 2023) |
| M-605-1 | Subsurface Drains - Details of different applications |
| M-606-1 | Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) Type 3 W-Beam 31 Inches (19 Sheets) - Placement, installation, materials and specifications (Issued on March 5, 2020) |
| Guardrail Type 7 F-Shape Barrier (4 Sheets) - Details for F-shape concrete barrier. Only use this standard for maintenance and repair work. | |
| M-606-14 | Precast Type 7 Concrete Barrier (4 Sheets) - Details of rebar, and pin and loop connection (Issued on February 9, 2023) |
| M-606-15 | Guardrail Type 9 Single Slope Barrier (11 Sheets) - Concrete barrier with single slope sides (Issued on February 17, 2023) |
| M-607-1 | Wire Fences and Gates (3 Sheets) - Barbed or combination wire fence, wood or metal posts |
| M-607-2 | Chain Link Fence (3 Sheets) - Fence and gate details with material and hardware details |
| M-607-3 | Barrier Fence - Barrier fence with steel post details |
| M-607-4 | Deer Fence, Gates, and Game Ramps (7 Sheets) - Game fence, Gate, and Ramp details (Issued on July 13, 2020) |
| M-607-10 | Picket Snow Fence - Picket snow fence with steel post details |
| M-607-15 | Road Closure Gate (9 Sheets) - Hardware specifics and placement of gates on highways |
| M-608-1 | Curb Ramps (10 Sheets) - Plan, elevation, and section views. Details for detectable warnings. For additional information related to accessible curb ramp design visit CDOT ADA Program Documents and Resources |
| M-609-1 | Curbs, Gutters, and Sidewalks (4 Sheets) - Details for expansion joints and driveway entrances |
| M-611-1 | Cattle Guard (2 Sheets) - Cattle guard with steel and timber wing details |
| M-611-2 | Deer Guard (2 Sheets) - Deer guard with timber and steel wing details |
| M-614-1 | Rumble Strips (3 Sheets) - Temporary and permanent use for shoulders, lanes, and centerlines |
| M-614-2 | Sand Barrel Arrays (2 Sheets) - Layouts for design speeds to 75 mph including weights |
| M-615-1 | Embankment Protector Type 3 - Slope run-down using flexible pipe and paved apron |
| M-615-2 | Embankment Protector Type 5 - Slope run-down using slope paving and paved apron |
| M-616-1 | Inverted Siphon - Concrete siphon pipe with trash guard, valve box, and drain details |
| M-620-1 | Field Laboratory Class 1 - 8' x 26' Field Laboratory |
| M-620-2 | Field Laboratory Class 2 (2 Sheets) - 12' x 28' Field Laboratory |
| M-620-11 | Field Office Class 1 - 8' x 26' Field Office |
| M-620-12 | Field Office Class 2 - 12' x 50' Field Office |
| M-629-1 | Survey Monuments (2 Sheets) - Monument application table and monument cap details |
Other Resources
- 2025 Construction Specifications (Version 1)
- S Standard Plans - Access S Standard Plans, downloadable CAD, and PDF design files for traffic safety infrastructure including signage, signals, pavement markings, lighting, and temporary work zone controls.
- CDOT Form 1300 - Submittal of New or Revised M Standard Plan or Project Detail.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about CDOT Guardrails, Crash Cushions, and End Treatments
- Procedural Directive 513.2 - Effective June 2025, Procedural Directive 513.2 Construction Project Standard Plans (M & S Standards) outlines the official processes and responsibilities for developing, revising, and implementing Standard Plans used on CDOT construction projects.
- CDOT Library - Established in 1949, the CDOT Library provides CDOT employees, engineers, and researchers with transportation-related resources and information. The collection is a combination of both print and electronic resources including technical reports, journals, books, and databases.
- FHWA Hardware Eligibility Letters - Access the FHWA's official database of Federal-aid reimbursement eligibility letters to verify crash-tested roadside safety devices such as barriers, sign supports, and work zone hardware for state project use.
- The Specifications & M Standards Unit Annual Event Calendar - This calendar tracks projects milestones, key dates, events, and deadlines for the Specifications and M Standards Unit.
If you are a CDOT employee, consultant, or contractor and would like to receive emails of the latest updates and revisions, please email [email protected]. Include your name, company name, and the email address that you would like to receive this information.
