Design Bulletins

Updated on August 10, 2020
New Form 463 “Go-Live” June 4th

2018-2. May 17, 2018. This Design Bulletin is the final notification for additional input to Form 463.​ It is ​a follow up to Design Bulletin 2018-1 issued on May 2, 2018.

New Form 463 “Go-Live” June 4th

2018-1. May 2, 2018. The FHWA controlling criteria for design, changed from 13 to 10 in mid-2016. Outreach to the regions via the Project Delivery Advisory Committee (PDAC) regarding Form 463 redesign began in early 2017. The new Form 463 currently in SAP production, obtained PDAC approval in February. Please read this bulletin to find more highlights.

Noise Guide Changes

2017-01. April 10, 2017. This bulletin aligns Colorado noise standards with national standards.

3D Engineered Construction Surveying

2016-4. May 13, 2016. CDOT is now able to provide 3D modeling information to Contractors to be used during bidding and construction, provided the project meets specified criteria.

Estimate Review by EEMA Unit

2016-3. March 28, 2016. The description of the duties and function of the Engineering Estimates and Market Analysis Unit has been updated in Section 2.27 of the Project Development Manual with a total rewrite of that section.

Reporting New Permanent Water Detention or Filtration Facilities

2016-02. January 26, 2016. Per a modification to a Colorado Revised Statute, CDOT must notify all parties (via reporting on a website) during the design of the project of any new permanent water detention or filtration facilities intended to be put into service after August 2015.

TSM&O Evaluation

2016-1. January 21, 2016. Beginning January 1, 2016 all projects with a Design Scoping Review on or after February 1, 2016 will require a Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) Evaluation.

Project Risk Management

2015-10. December 9, 2015. Currently, CDOT Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Project Teams inherently consider project risks throughout the lifecycle of a project. This guidance provides a process and framework to help define and manage risks as well as risk management tools.

PS&E Revisions Under Ad Process Instructions

2015-8. October 9. 2015. To provide consistency and uniformity to the Revision Under Advertisement process, significant details have been added to Section 2.34 of the Project Development Manual. The changes include an example revision request letter and detailed instructions on how to mark up and complete the bid documents, special provisions, and plan sheets associated with a change.

PS&E Package to FHWA

2015-7. Revised on October 9, 2015. In order to not delay going to ad, the PS&E (Plans, Specifications and Estimate) Package for projects of Division Interest (PoDI) must be sent to FHWA two weeks before beginning the Form 1180 process. FHWA now requires that the PS&E package be delivered in paper format.

Materials for Noise Barrier Walls

2015-6. August 17, 2015. Chapter 18 Noise Guide of the CDOT Roadway Design Guide has been revised and expanded to present more detailed information about the materials used in the construction of noise barrier walls.

Tracking Permanent Water Quality Mitigation Pool Money

2015-5. August 17, 2015. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide direction on tracking Permanent Water Quality (PWQ) project money. A project follows this procedure anytime PWQ Mitigation Pool funds are used (including local agency projects). This bulletin supersedes Design Bulletin 2014-12: Permanent Water Quality Mitigation Pool Combination Projects and Construction Bulletin 2014-6: Permanent Water Quality Mitigation Pool.

Policy on Context Sensitive Solutions

2015-4. June 8, 2015. Policy Memo 26 Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Vision for CDOT, issued October 31, 2005 has been replaced by a new subsection of Section 8 in the Project Development Manual.

Reducing Construction Duration and Minimizing User Impacts and Delays

2015-1. January 22, 2015. This design bulletin is intended to ensure that every CDOT project gives appropriate consideration to the use of innovative contracting measures to accelerate project completion, as appropriate, that will aid in reducing the impacts of construction to the traveling public.

Use of Engineering Judgment and MUTCD Request Options

2014-15. December 18,2014. This bulletin provides guidance on how and when engineering judgment may be used to deviate from the MUTCD standards and provides an overview of the various FHWA requests associated with the MUTCD.

Railroad Clearance for CDOT Projects

2014-13. October 22, 2014. FHWA has requested that a statement regarding the completion, or arrangement for, any railroad work within CDOT projects be made prior to the advertisement of the project per 23 CFR 635.309(b). The statement will be made typically by the Region Utility Engineer or the Resident Engineer.