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CONSTRUCTION MANUAL

Bureau of Field Services Construction Field Services Division

Quad Eschelon Paving on an MDOT freeway project.

MDOT Mission Statement

Providing the highest quality integrated transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life.

Current News

AASHTOWare Project Construction & Materials Software Manual

Support for AASHTOware Construction and Materials can be found at the new AASHTOWare Project Construction & Materials Software Manual

For any additional support please contact the AASHTOWare Helpdesk email [email protected] or the FieldManager Helpdesk email [email protected].

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Recent Major Changes

The table below is a list of Major changes to the Construction Manual in the past 12 months.

Updated	Division	Section	Summary	What Changed
10/15/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Construction Field Services Indirect Testing Charges	Updated the Indirect Testing coding for FY27	View Here
09/02/2026	Division 7 Supplemental	Division 7 Supplemental - Earth Retaining Structures	Relocated former 719 Section on Earth Retaining Structures to Division 7 Supplemental - Earth Retaining Structures to match standard specifications.	View Here
08/27/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Prevailing Wage	Significant updates to Prevailing Wage, Specifically the Wage Rate Interviews procedures.	Compare Here
08/25/2026	Division 4 Supplemental	Division 4 Supplemental Information	Updated existing Division 4 Supplemental Information pages to show in sidebar navigation.	View Here
08/25/2026	Division 7 Supplemental	Division 7 Supplemental Information	Updated existing Division 7 Supplemental Information pages to show in sidebar navigation.	View Here
08/25/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer Process	Updated Certified Engineer process and requirements.	View Here
08/18/2026	Division 2 Supplemental	Division 2 Supplemental Information	Updated existing Division 2 Supplemental Information pages to show in sidebar navigation.	View Here
06/02/2026	Division 1	102.17 Subletting Contract Work to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)	Updates to form numbers and contact information for Office of Business Development personnel for DBE project concerns.	Compare Here
05/18/2026	Division 4	401 - Culverts	Updated guidance for rejection of Reinforced Concrete Culvert Pipe per specifications in 909.04.A	Compare Here
05/18/2026	Division 4	402 - Storm Sewers	Updated guidance for rejection of Reinforced Concrete Storm Sewer Pipe per specifications in 909.04.A.	Compare Here
05/14/2026	Sidebar	Documentation Guide 2026	Updated Documentation Guide 2026	View Here
04/22/2026	Division 1	109.07 - Final Inspection, Acceptance, and Final Payment	Updated guidance to reflect The previous MDOT Form 1120 Final Inspection/Acceptance being split into two separate forms; Form 1120 - Final Inspection, and Form 1121 - Final Acceptance.	Compare Here
03/30/2026	Division 1	109.04 Progress and Partial Payments	Minor update to wording on Payment for Delivered Materials to direct users to 109.04.B of the Standard Specifications for Construction	Compare Here
03/26/2026	Division 5	505 - Chip Seals	Major revision to entire section content on Chip Seals. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	View Here
03/05/2026	Division 5	501 - Plant Produced Hot Mix Asphalt	Updated section 501 to include updates to the HMA Paving Operations Documentation checklist information.	Compare Here
03/03/2026	Division 1	105.10 Domestic Materials	Major updates to 105.10 Domestic Materials to include new guidance for Source of Iron and Steel (Buy America), Source of Construction Materials (Build America, Buy America Act) and Source of Manufactured Products with the changes to regulations and Special Provision for Domestic Materials 20SP-105C-02	View Here
03/02/2026	Division 8	824 - Construction Surveying and Staking	Updated Section 824 - Contractor Staking to "824 -Construction Surveying and Staking" with all new content.	Compare Here
02/26/2026	Division 1	Civil Rights Programs	Updates to reflect Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) conscious (DC) participation goals and Small Business Program (SBP) requirements.	View Here
02/12/2026	Division 7	701 - Portland Cement_Concrete for Structures	Moved Content from 701 - Portland Cement Concrete for Structures to Division 10 Section 1004 - Portland Cement Concrete Mixtures	View Here
02/12/2026	Division 7	702 - Mortar and Grout	Moved Content from 702 - Mortar and Grout to Division 10 Section 1005 - Mortar and Grout Mixtures	View Here
02/12/2026	Division 7	703 - Mortar and Concrete Patching Repair and Resurfacing Mixes	Moved Content from 703 - Mortar and Concrete Patching Repair and Resurfacing Mixes to Division 10 Section 1006 - Patching, Repair, & Overlay Mixtures	View Here
09/05/2024	Division 7	707 - Structural Steel	Major revision to entire section content on Structural Steel. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	View Here
02/04/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Preconstruction Meeting	Updated LAP Boilerplate Preconstruction Meeting Minutes - Feb 2026	View Here
12/15/2025	Division 1	109.07 - Final Inspection, Acceptance, and Final Payment	Updated instructions for external users to send email to [email protected] when changing state of 1105A Final Estimate form.	View Here
11/24/2025	Division 1	103.02 - Contract Revisions	Updated guidance for Construction Phase Funding Revisions	Compare Here
10/21/2025	Division 8	811 Permanent Pavement Markings	Updated Permanent Pavement Markings payment table to include 2025 price adjustments	View Here
10/15/2025	Division 4	405 - Pump Station Construction	Major revision to entire section content on 405 - Pump Station Construction. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
10/13/2025	Division 3	305 - HMA Base Crushing and Shaping	Major revision to entire section content on 305 - HMA Base Crushing and Shaping. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
10/13/2025	Division 3	306 - Aggregate Surface Course	Major revision to entire section content on 306 - Aggregate Surface Course. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
10/13/2025	Division 3	307 - Aggregate Shoulders and Approaches	Major revision to entire section content on 307 - Aggregate Shoulders and Approaches. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
10/13/2025	Division 3	308 - Geotextiles for Base	Major revision to entire section content on 308 - Geotextiles for Base. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
10/08/2025	Division 4	404 - Underdrain	Major revision to entire section content on 404 - Underdrain. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
10/08/2025	Division 4	406 - Precast Three-Sided, Arch, and Box Culverts	Major revision to entire section content on 406 - Precast Three-Sided, Arch, and Box Culverts. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
09/29/2025	Division 3	301 - Subbase	Major revision to entire section content on 301 - Subbase. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
09/29/2025	Division 3	302 - Aggregate Base Courses	Major revision to entire section content on 302 - Aggregate Base Courses. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
09/29/2025	Division 3	303 - Open Graded Drainage Course	Major revision to entire section content on 303 - Open Graded Drainage Course. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
09/29/2025	Division 3	304 - Rubbilizing Existing PCC Pavement	Major revision to entire section content on 304 - Rubbilizing Existing PCC Pavement. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
09/03/2025	Division 1	107.15 Compliance with Laws; Environmental Protection	Updated guidance for field staff on signing manifests or other documents related to hazardous or non-hazardous materials.	Compare Here
08/26/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Construction Field Services Indirect Testing Charges	Updated the Indirect Testing coding for FY26	Compare Here
08/26/2025	Division 2	206 - Excavation and Backfill for Structures	Major revision to entire section content on 206 - Excavation and Backfill for Structures. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/26/2025	Division 2	207 - Obliterating Roadway	Major revision to entire section content on 207 - Obliterating Roadway. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/26/2025	Division 2	208 - Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (NPDES)	Major revision to entire section content on 208 - Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (NPDES). New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/26/2025	Division 2	209 - Project Cleanup	Major revision to entire section content on 209 - Project Cleanup. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/21/2025	Division 4	401 - Culverts	Major revision to entire section content on 401 - Culverts. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/21/2025	Division 4	402 - Storm Sewers	Major revision to entire section content on 402 - Storm Sewers. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/21/2025	Division 4	403 - Drainage Structures	Major revision to entire section content on 403 - Drainage Structures. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/19/2025	Division 2	204 - Removing Miscellaneous Structures and Materials	Major revision to entire section content on 204 - Removing Miscellaneous Structures and Materials. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
08/19/2025	Division 2	205 - Roadway Earthwork	Major revision to entire section content on 205 - Roadway Earthwork. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
07/31/2025	Division 2	201 - Clearing	Major revision to entire section content on 201 - Clearing. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
07/31/2025	Division 2	202 - Removing Trees, Stumps, and Corduroy	Major revision to entire section content on 202 - Removing Trees, Stumps, and Corduroy. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
07/31/2025	Division 2	203 - Removing Drainage Structures, Culverts, and Sewers	Major revision to entire section content on 203 - Removing Drainage Structures, Culverts, and Sewers. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	Compare Here
07/29/2025	Sidebar	Documentation Guide 2025	Updated Documentation Guide 2025	View Here
07/28/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	MDOT Standard Naming Convention	Significant update of MDOT Standard Naming Conventions. DWR Calculation attachments relocated to 208 folder.	Compare Changes
07/28/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Inspector’s Daily Work Report (DWR)	Updated Inspectors Daily Work Report (DWR) page with new requirements.	Compare Changes
04/28/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Preconstruction Meeting	Updated Trunk Line Boilerplate Preconstruction Meeting Minutes - 04-28-2025	View Here
03/30/2025	Division 5	501 - Plant Produced Hot Mix Asphalt	Updated section 501 to include the MDOT HMA Paving Operations Training Videos.	View Here
03/04/2025	Division 1	103.02 - Contract Revisions	Updated guidance for Construction Phase Funding Revisions	Compare Here
03/03/2025	Division 1	Civil Rights Programs	former Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) page renamed to Civil Rights Programs	View Here
01/15/2025	Division 1	Inspector’s Daily Work Report (DWR)	Updated Inspectors Daily Work Report (DWR) page for AASHTOWare with new content and sample DWR.	View Here
01/14/2025	Division 1	109.07 - Final Inspection, Acceptance, and Final Payment	Updated contents of entire section 109.07 to reflect process on AASHTOWare contracts.	Compare Here
01/14/2025	Division 1	109.04 Progress and Partial Payments	Updated contents of entire section 109.04 to reflect process on AASHTOWare contracts.	Compare Here
12/09/2024	Division 8	810 - Permanent Traffic Signs and Supports	Updated directions for placement of installation date sticker on signs.	Compare Here
11/06/2024	Construction Manual	Construction Manual	Updates to entire Contruction Manual to change terminology from IDR to DWR and from Contract Modification to Change Order to meet AASHTOWare terminology.	Table of Contents
10/21/2024	Division 1	Section 110 - Mobilization	Deleted page Section 150 - Mobilization, replaced with Section 110 - Mobilization per new spec book	View Here
10/21/2024	Division 1 Supplemental	Construction Field Services Indirect Testing Charges	Updated the Indirect Testing coding for FY25	View Here
10/21/2024	Division 8	811 Permanent Pavement Markings	Updated Permanent Pavement Markings payment table to include 2024 price adjustments	View Here
10/14/2024	Division 1 Supplemental	Preconstruction Meeting	Updated Trunk Line Boilerplate Preconstruction Meeting Minutes - 10-14-2024	View Here
10/03/2024	Division 1	103 - Work Orders	Updated instructions for issuing and processing work orders including stamped authorizations.	Compare Here
09/26/2024	Division 7	706 - Structural Concrete	Minor revisions to section 706 content on Structural Concrete.	Compare Here
09/26/2024	Division 2	208 - Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (NPDES)	Added link to new MDOT SESC Pocket Guide	View Here
09/05/2024	Division 7	707 - Structural Steel	Major revision to entire section content on Structural Steel. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	View Here
07/22/2024	Division 8	821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners	New content added for previously empty section 821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners.	View Here
07/02/2024	Division 7	708 - Prestressed Concrete	Major revision to entire section content on Prestressed_Concrete. New content, additional pictures/figures, and re-format to new Construction Manual format.	View Here

A definition to the types of changes that you might see in the Construction Manual can be found under Content Revision Procedures, Types of Changes.

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Recent Minor Changes

The table below is a list of Minor changes to the Construction Manual in the past 12 months.

Updated	Division	Section	Summary	What Changed
09/18/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to September 2026.	View Here
07/09/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to July 2026.	View Here
04/20/2026	Division 1	103.02 - Contract Revisions	Updated FHWA Area Engineer coverage map	View Here
04/13/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Preconstruction Meeting	Updated LAP Boilerplate Preconstruction Meeting Minutes - April 2026	View Here
04/13/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to April 2026.	View Here
04/08/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	MDOT Standard Naming Convention	Minor update to file naming table to reflect new name of form 1903 "Report of Quality Assurance Testing" and update broken link to Contractor Naming standards list.	Compare Here
03/09/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to March 2026.	View Here
03/05/2026	Division 1	Holiday Traffic Safety Provisions	Corrected minor error in table.	Compare Here
01/20/2026	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to January 2026.	View Here
12/23/2025	Division 8	811 - Permanent Pavement Markings	Updated Pavement Markings section to reinforce no recessed markings on bridge decks.	Compare Here
12/11/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to December 2025.	View Here
12/10/2025	Division 4	402 - Storm Sewers	Minor Edits to content on 402 - Storm Sewers.	Compare Here
10/27/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	MDOT Standard Naming Convention	Minor update to remove duplicate entry in 300 table for 1903-C form.	Compare Here
10/20/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to October 2025.	View Here
10/07/2025	Division 1	103.02 - Contract Revisions	Updated FHWA Area Engineer coverage map	View Here
08/25/2025	Division 1	103.02 - Contract Revisions	Updated guidance in Contract Revisions - Premium Costs for Design Errors and Field Issues to include a link to ACEC Dispute Resolution Process for design issues.	Compare Here
05/20/2025	Division 8	821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners	Minor update of example documents for monument corners tables 821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners.	View Here
04/29/2025	Division 8	820 Notification of Traffic Signal Work	Updated contact information for Traffic Signal work.	View Here
03/20/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to March 2025.	View Here
02/06/2025	Division 7	715 - Cleaning and Coating Existing Structural Steel	Removed guidance which conflicted with the standard specs.	Compare Here
02/04/2025	Division 1	Inspector’s Daily Work Report (DWR)	Updated Inspectors Daily Work Report (DWR) page to remove approval stamp which no longer applies.	View Here
02/04/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to February 2025.	View Here
01/13/2025	Division 1 Supplemental	MDOT Standard Naming Convention	Addition of Form 1459 - Structure Installation Inspection Request form to Standard Naming Convention. (Reminder you can sort list by recent changes column)	Compare Here
11/13/2024	Division 2	205 - Disposing of Surplus and Unsuitable Material	Minor update to Region notification prior to off-site disposal of soils	Compare Here
10/01/2024	Division 1 Supplemental	Certified Engineer List	Updated Certified Engineer list to October 2024.	View Here
09/30/2024	Division 8	821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners	Minor update for contacts on Local Agency Projects 821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners.	Compare Here
08/19/2024	Division 8	821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners	Updated PLSS Natural Witness Example 821 - Preservation of Land Monuments and Property Corners.	Compare Here
08/15/2024	Division 1 Supplemental	Dispute Review Board	Updated links and added clarification langauge on process to add or remove DRB from projects.	Compare Here
07/01/2024	Division 8	826 – Intelligent Transportation Systems	Updated Section 826 with minor edits and added to left side menu.	Compare Here
07/01/2024	Division 8	825 - Sanitary Sewer Systems	Updated Section 825 with minor edits and added to left side menu.	Compare Here

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Preamble

This manual provides guidance to administrative, engineering, and technical staff. Engineering practice requires that professionals use a combination of technical skills and judgment in decision making. Engineering judgment is necessary to allow decisions to account for unique site-specific conditions and considerations to provide high quality products, within budget, and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. This manual provides the general operational guidelines; however, it is understood that adaptation, adjustments, and deviations are sometimes necessary. Innovation is a key foundational element to advance the state of engineering practice and develop more effective and efficient engineering solutions and materials. As such, it is essential that our engineering manuals provide a vehicle to promote, pilot, or implement technologies or practices that provide efficiencies and quality products, while maintaining the safety, health, and welfare of the public. It is expected when making significant or impactful deviations from the technical information from these guidance materials, that reasonable consultations with experts, technical committees, and/or policy setting bodies occur prior to actions within the timeframes allowed. It is also expected that these consultations will eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, perceived or otherwise. MDOT Leadership is committed to a culture of innovation to optimize engineering solutions. The National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics for Engineering is founded on six fundamental canons. Those canons are provided below. Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Perform Services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statement only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, reasonably, ethically and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

This manual has been formatted and organized to follow the MDOT Standard Specifications outline with divisions and sections set up to facilitate easy cross referencing.

Additional information about the Wiki Construction Manual and submitting revision suggestions is located in the MDOT Construction Manual Content Revision Procedures page.

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