Design Bulletins
Updated on August 10, 2020
2022-2. February 17, 2022. The Engineering Estimates and Market Analysis (EEMA) Branch is implementing a new process to request Engineering Estimates for projects.
2022-1. February 8, 2022. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is to provide guidance for the use of the Utility Conflict Matrix (UCM) for the identification of utility conflicts with new roadway design features. UCMs are designed to help CDOT and utility companies identify the best and most cost-effective solutions. The UCM is designed to be scalable and support a range of project sizes and conditions, in varying levels of project design.
2021-3. December 1, 2021. As of September 1, 2021, projects will follow the revamped Systems Engineering Analysis (SEA) process. The SEA will no longer be a part of the Operations Evaluation. This revamped SEA requirements and individual processes are explained in the new section 4.13 of the Project Development Manual.
2021-2. December 1, 2021. On January 1, 2016 all projects with a Design Scoping Review on or after February 1, 2016 required a Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) Evaluation. A new name, "Operations Evaluation", was issued when the Operations Evaluation Web Tool went live on January 21st, 2021.
2021-1. March 22, 2021. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is to outline changes to the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) Templates based on the February 1, 2021 permit modification.
2020-6. August 10, 2020. The purpose of this Bulletin is to inform CDOT project personnel that the Construction Management (CM) Staffing Tool is available for use to estimate internal and consultant construction project staffing needs.
2020-5. July 24, 2020. Construction projects may include an extended landscape establishment period to ensure the successful establishment of revegetation, environmental mitigations, plantings, and seeding. Successful landscape establishment is required to close permits. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is is to provide information concerning two new options for completing landscape/vegetation re-establishment maintenance work for low and medium risk, design-bid-build projects. For these options, final project acceptance is issued when construction is complete and a new Post Construction Landscape Establishment Phase (PCEP) is initiated.
2020-4. July 9, 2020. Revised on September 25, 2020. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is to provide information regarding approved Standard Special Provisions (SSPs) and Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) technical support resources available during Design. Phase agendas and worksheets are also being introduced to improve the quality assurance (inspection/verification tools) for project topsoil management, soil amendment products, and seeding procedures. To be use on all projects that have an advertisement date on or after January 1, 2021.
2020-3. June 29, 2020. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is because the Standards and Specifications Unit is revising and updating the implementation policy for MASH (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware) tested 31-inch guardrail.
2020-2. June 8, 2020. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is to provide guidance for the Findings in the Public Interest (FIPI) and the Certification Processes for Proprietary Items.
2020-1. April 29, 2020. Projects not being validated in AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction prior to project advertisement. The three required AASHTOWare validation reports used to check that all pay items have been included and the project is within budget. Execution of these three validation reports is required for project advertisement.
2019-4. November 19, 2019. The purpose of this Design Bulletin is to provide guidance regarding the new CDOT Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) guidelines, templates, and questionnaire that address the visual impacts of our highways.
2019-2. May 3, 2019. An implemented Form 463 improvement suggestion from region management will be reflected in SAP beginning May 16, 2019. This new format would more clearly highlight instances where design standards are not being met in the proposed condition.
2019-1. March 28, 2019. The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide information and instruction regarding the revisions to Standard Specifications 107.25 and 208 issued on March 27, 2019. Changes to these specifications were made to ensure compliance with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) new Colorado Discharge Permit System General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities (SCP) (COR400000).
2018-7. October 25, 2018. The 2018 release of the CDOT Roadway Design Guide (RDG) is synchronized with the AASHTO 2011, "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 6th Edition" (Green Book).
2018-6. October 3, 2018. This modified Form 464 reflects that designers are encouraged to support design exception variance requests with Data Driven Safety Analysis (DDSA) when practical.
2018-5. Form #464 references have been deleted from the Procedural Directive 605.1 since the form is no longer used for curb ramps
2018-4. July 30, 2018. This is the new Chapter 12, "Accessible Pedestrian Design" for the CDOT Roadway Design Guide. It is derived from the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). Topics range from general ADA requirements to a deeper dive on curb ramp and pedestrian access route technical requirements. Designers and field staff are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the range of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) topics.
2018-3. May 22, 2018. The bulletin describes the Earthwork Tool, which is a synthesis of best practices to guide designers toward CDOT standard earthwork protocol while offering the regions flexibility in making project-by-project earthwork decisions.
