Highway Engineering

The Highway Program within the Bureau of Project Development of MaineDOT is responsible for design and construction of projects to improve the safety and mobility of Maine’s highways and streets for all users.

This site is divided into three sections containing design and construction policies, practices and procedures, engineering instructions, design guidance and other information relative to the Program’s responsibilities:

• General - This section contains all of the Program’s processes, forms, and general procedures that apply to all highway projects.
• Design - This section contains the Program’s practices and procedures related to the elements of highway design.  It also contains related engineering instructions, design guidance and other references.  Practices and procedures, engineering instructions and design guidance are based on A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) also known as the AASHTO Green Book, or other related documents and publications.  For further information, refer to the AASHTO Green Book or the other references provided for each highway design element.
• Construction - This section contains the Program’s references, documentation, forms, policies, and practices and procedures for highway construction.

General

Project Development Processes

Highway Program Process for Project Development (PDF)

Highway Program Estimate Quality Assurance (PDF)

Design Check and Review Process Updated 3/2/23

• Highway Program Check/Review Process (PDF)
• HVAC Submittal Form Checklist (DOC)
• PDR Submittal Form Checklist (DOC)
• PIC Design Submittal Form Checklist (DOC)
• PS&E Design Submittal Form Checklist (DOC)
• Roundabout HVAC Submittal Form Checklist (DOC)

Public Process

• Highway Program Public Process Guidelines (PDF)
• Public Meeting Visual Display Guidance (PDF)

Forms

• Highway Design Requirements (HDR) Form (DOC) Updated 3/2/23
• Design Check/Review Submittal Form - See Milestone Checklist
• Roundabout HVAC Design Check/Review Submittal Form - See Milestone Checklist
• Preliminary Design Report (PDR) Form (DOC) Updated 7/9/20
• PS&E Form (DOC) Updated 5/2/22
• ADA Technical Infeasibility Form 
• Crash Data Request Form (PDF)
• Design Exception Request Form (DOC) Updated 4/23/25
• Drainage Summary Form (DOC) 
• Guardrail Length of Need Worksheet (XLS)
• Pavement Design Request Form (XLS)
• Pavement Design Review Form (XLS)
• Special Provision 403 Request Form (XLS) Updated 1/9/23
• TAME Request Form (DOC)
• Traffic Data Request Form (XLS) Updated 8/15/23
• Traffic Data Request Form - ME Pavement Design (XLS) Updated 7/9/19

Model and 3D Data

• Electronic Exchange of CADD Data
• 3D Modeling Deliverables (PDF)
• MaineDOT Review of Contractor Model (PDF)

Preparation of Contract Documents

Preparation of Plans

• Preparation of Plans Guidance (PDF) Updated 8/12/20
• Construction Notes Guidance (PDF)
• Drawing Scales and Fonts (PDF)
• Right of Way Display Guidance (PDF)
• Standard Abbreviations (PDF)
• Standard Symbols (PDF)

Sample Plans

• Title Sheet (PDF) Updated 6/13/19
• Typical Sections (PDF) Updated 3/8/19
• Drainage Sheets (PDF)
• Estimated Quantities Sheet (PDF)
• General Notes Sheet (PDF)
• Construction Notes Sheet (PDF)
• Grading Plans (PDF)
• Geometric Plans (PDF)
• Plan/Profile Sheets (PDF)
• Cross Sections (PDF)

Earthwork Summary

• Earthwork Summary Guidance (PDF)
• Earthwork Computation Worksheet (XLS) Updated 5/15/19

Contract Bid Book Submittals

Special Provisions

• MaineDOT Guide for Preparing Supplemental Specifications & Special Provisions for Construction Contracts (PDF)

General Notes

• General Notes (DOC) Updated 12/10/20

Estimating

• Estimating Guidance (PDF)
• Engineer's Estimate Workbook (XLS) Updated 1/24/2022
• Design Guidance - Grubbing In Fill (PDF)
• Earthwork Summary Guidance (PDF)
• Earthwork Computation Worksheet (XLS)

Training Materials

Joint ACEC and MaineDOT Training

• Project Insights and Best Practices for MaineDOT Highway Design - Session 1 (PDF)
• Project Insights and Best Practices for MaineDOT Highway Design - Session 2 (PDF)

The Regional Program

Introduction to the Regional Program

• Regional Program Parameters (PDF)
• Regional Program Organization Chart (PDF)

The Collector Highway Improvement Program (CHIP)

Scope Expectations

• CHIP Scope Expectations (PDF)
• CHIP Implementation (PDF)

Design Standards

• CHIP Design Standards (PDF) Updated 6/12/2023

PMRAP (Pugmill) Practices and Procedures

• Pugmill Roles and Responsibilities (DOC) Updated 3/23/2023
• MaineDOT PMRAP Program Policy (PDF)

Pavement Preservation (ODG)

Scope Expectations

• Pavement Preservation (ODG) Scope Expectations (DOC) Updated 3/6/2023

CPR Practices and Procedures

• CPR Roles and Responsibilities (PDF) Updated 1/11/2021
• Original CPR Treatment Expectations (PDF)

Book Job Practices and Procedures

• Pavement Preservation (ODG) "Book Job" Standards (PDF) Updated 2/29/24
• Title Sheet for Book Jobs (PDF)
• Location Map Creation for Title Sheets (PDF)
• Location Map for Book Jobs (PDF)
• Typical Section Creation for Book Jobs (PDF)

Light Capital Paving (LCP)

• LCP Roles and Responsibilities (PDF) 
• LCP Shoulder Paving Policy (PDF)
• LCP Underpass Paving/Milling Memo (PDF) 
• LCP - Municipal Opt-in (DOC) 
• LCP Municipal Opt-In Agreement Template (DOC) 

Sample Documents

• Sample Title Sheets for Book Jobs (PDF)
• Sample Location Map for Book Jobs (PDF)
• Typical Section Examples for Book Jobs (PDF) Updated 4/16/2021
• Sample Cross Slope Sheet (PDF)
• Common Construction Notes (DOC) Updated 2/5/2021
• Sample Special Provision 105 (DOC) Updated 2/11/2022
• Sample Special Provision 107 (DOC)
• Town Notice of Pavement Preservation Project (DOC)

Forms

• Special Provision 403 Request Form (XLS) Updated 1/9/23
• PS&E Form (DOC) Updated 5/2/22 | PS&E Form Instructions (PDF)
• Construction Authorization Form (XLS)

General Notes

• General Notes (DOC) Updated 12/10/20

Design

1. Basic Design Controls

This element contains information about Highway Corridor Priority, functional classification, traffic volume controls, scope of work, controlling criteria and design exceptions.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF)

Engineering Instructions

• EI C3 - Design Speed (PDF)

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Entrance Design (PDF)

Other References

• Design Element Definitions (PDF)
• Design Exception Matrix and Glossary (PDF)
• Design Exceptions Explanation (PDF) Updated 3/7/19
• Design Exception Request Form (DOC) Updated 4/23/25

2. Horizontal Design

This element contains information about horizontal curves, sight distance and superelevation development for rural highways, high-speed urban highways and low speed urban streets.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 1/25/19

Engineering Instructions

• EI C6 - Superelevation Rate (PDF)
• EI C7 - Horizontal Curve Radius (PDF)
• EI C8 - Stopping Sight Distance (PDF)

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Off-Tracking (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Superelevation Transition (PDF) Updated 10/29/21
• Design Guidance - High Side Shoulder Rollover (PDF)

3. Vertical Design

This element contains information about stopping sight distance, grades and vertical curves.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 12/15/2021

Engineering Instructions

• EI C5 - Maximum Gradient (PDF)
• EI C8 - Stopping Sight Distance (PDF)
• EI C9 - Vertical Clearance (PDF)

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Sag Vertical Curves (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Critical Length of Grade - Climbing Lanes (PDF) 

4. Cross Section Elements

This element contains information about roadway sections, medians and roadside elements.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 6/9/2023

Engineering Instructions

• EI C1 - Lane Width and Shoulder Width (PDF) Updated Nov 2022
• EI C4 - Cross Slope (PDF)

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Curb Type and Mold Usage (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Minimum ADA Requirements for Pedestrian Facilities (PDF) Updated 10/24/23
• Design Guidance - High Side Shoulder Rollover (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Medians and Islands (PDF)
• Design Guidance - On and Off-Street Parking (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Sideslopes and Backslopes (PDF)

Other References

• Maine Department of Transportation Shoulder Surface Type Policy (PDF)

5. Intersections and Interchanges

This element contains information about intersection alignment and profile, intersection sight distance, turning radii and roadways, auxiliary lanes, continuous two-way left turn lanes, median openings, islands, entrance design, roundabouts, interchanges and ramp design.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 8/21/19

Engineering Instructions

• EI C1 - Lane Width and Shoulder Width (PDF) Updated 12/2022
• EI C6 - Superelevation Rate (PDF)

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Entrance Design (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Medians and Islands (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Roundabout Design (PDF) Updated 7/15/19

6. Roadside Design

This element contains information about roadside clear zones, barrier warrants, barrier types and layout, median barriers and impact attenuators (crash cushions).

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 2/25/19

Engineering Instructions

• EI C2 - Clear Zone (PDF)

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Barrier Layout - Length of Need (PDF) Updated 2/25/19
• Design Guidance - Clear Zone Relative to Right of Way (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Crash Cushions (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Guardrail Height Adjustment Considerations (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Sideslopes and Backslopes (PDF)

Other References

• MaineDOT Guardrail and Guardrail Terminal Policy (PDF) Updated 05/18/2021

7. Drainage Design

This element contains information about hydrology, open channels and ditches, culverts, pavement drainage structures and closed systems.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 11/2/2021

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Catch Basin Placement (PDF) Updated 5/16/2023
• Design Guidance - Culvert Hydraulics (PDF) 
• Design Guidance - Hydrology (PDF) Updated 1/31/2022
• Design Guidance - Instream Culvert Sizing (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Open Channel Flow (PDF) 
• Design Guidance - Reinforced Concrete Pipe (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Sideslopes and Backslopes (PDF)

Drainage Workbooks

• Hydrology Workbook (XLS) Updated 7/20/2023 - XLS add-in no longer needed
• Cross Culverts Workbook (XLS)
• Catch Basin Spreads Workbook (XLS)
• Closed System Workbook (XLS) Updated 7/20/2023 - XLS add-in no longer needed

Other References

• Drainage Design Based on the Milestone Process (DOC) 
• Drainage Design Presentation - Fall 2021 (PDF)
• Culvert Rehabilitation Guidance (PDF)
• NOAA Lidar Contours for Design - ORD (PDF) and ... - v8i (PDF) 

8. Pavement Design

This element contains information about structural pavement design.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 3/8/19

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Off-Tracking (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Structural Pavement Design (PDF) Updated 3/13/19
• Design Guidance - Structural Pavement Design with a Recycled Layer (PDF) Updated 3/13/19
• Design Guidance - Selecting the Appropriate Asphalt Recycling Process (In Development)

9. Complete Streets Design

This element contains information about ADA compliance and requirements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, parking, traffic control devices, landscaping, traffic calming, transit and railroad considerations, highway lighting and other street amenities.

• Practices and Procedures (PDF) Updated 5/22/19

Design Guidance

• Design Guidance - Medians and Islands (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Minimum ADA Requirements for Pedestrian Facilities (PDF) Updated 10/24/23
• Design Guidance - On and Off-Street Parking (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Rumble Strips (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Striping and Pavement Markings (PDF) 

Other References

• ADA Technical Infeasibility Form (PDF) Updated 6/25/20
• FHWA Traffic Calming ePrimer
• MaineDOT ADA Compliance Policy for Construction and Maintenance (PDF)
• MaineDOT Guidelines on Crosswalks (PDF) Updated 8/28/20
• MaineDOT Striping and Markings Policy for Highway Capital Projects (In Development)

10. Geotechnical Design

This element contains information about geotechnical engineering procedures.

• Geotechnical Engineering Procedures Guidance (PDF)

Construction

References

• HMA Resources
• Item Dictionary
• MaineDOT Best Management Practices for Erosion and Sedimentation Control (PDF)
• MaineDOT Bureau of Project Development Personal Protective Equipment Plan (PDF)
• MaineDOT Civil Rights Office for DBE and OJT
• MaineDOT Construction Manual (PDF)
• MaineDOT Elation System Users Manual (PDF)
• MaineDOT Project Record Keeping Manual (PDF)
• MaineDOT Qualified Products List
• MaineDOT Standard Details and Specifications
• MaineDOT Traffic Engineering Striping & Stenciling Handbook (PDF)
• Maine Sunrise and Sunset Monthly Calendars
• Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices - Part 6 Temporary Traffic Control (PDF)
• Speak MaineDOT (PDF)
• Terminals for W-Beam Guardrail Systems (PDF)

Construction Documentation and Forms

Construction Support

• Construction Support Documents

Training

• 2021 Construction Training (YouTube)
• 2022 Construction Training - Video Links (MS DOC)

Construction Policies, Practices and Procedures

• 2020 Pre-Pave Guidance (PDF)
• ADA Curb Ramp Data for Buffering Projects (PDF)
• ADA Curb Ramp Data Collection Sheet (XLS)
• APM 431 - Establishment of Speed Limits in Work Zones (PDF)
• As-Built Plan Guidance (PDF)
• Construction Project Safety Guidelines Related to the Effects of the COVID-19 Virus (PDF)
• Design Guidance - Guardrail Height Adjustment Considerations (PDF)
• MaineDOT ADA Compliance Policy for Construction and Maintenance (PDF)
• MaineDOT Guardrail and Guardrail Terminal Policy (PDF) Updated 12/21/2020
• MaineDOT Policies and Procedures for HMA Sampling and Testing (PDF)
• Safety Edge (PDF)
• Shoulder Backup, Delineation, and Signing Policy for LCP and Pug Mill Projects (PDF)
• Submittal Review and Approval Matrix (PDF)

Highway Program Construction Memos

• CPR Striping 1/11/19 (PDF)
• Electronic Device Use in Work Zones 6/6/16 (PDF)
• Payment for Stockpiled Materials 5/10/10 (PDF)
• Retention of Millings 12/17/14 (PDF)