Design Memoranda

07/11/2024 – Implementation of Integrated Construction Contract Standards Publication - Supersedes same subject memo dated  11/05/2021) (PDF)

04/21/2023 – Implementation of 2023 Construction Contract  Standards (PDF)

04/12/2022 - Seal, Signature, and Roles and Responsibilities of Registered/Licensed Professionals on Project Plans, Specifications, and Reports (PDF)

04/04/2022 - Performance-Based Decision-Making using the Highway Safety Manual (PDF)

03/25/2022 - Accommodation of Wired Broadband Facilities Within Access-Controlled State Highway Right of Way (PDF)

11/05/2021 - Implementation of Integrated Construction Contract Standards Publication (PDF)

6/01/2021 - Planting Policy

02/11/2021 - Complete Streets Decision Document - Implementation (PDF)

09/11/2020 - Approval and Documentation of Constructed Non-Approved Non-Standard Design Features (PDF)

07/01/2020 - Interim Guidance Regarding Incorporating Overhead Utility Information on Contract Plans (PDF) 

06/30/2020 - Bikeway Facility Selection Guidance (PDF) 

03/06/2020 - Archive Use - Non-Standard Special Provision (NSSP) Process Improvement (PDF) 

10/02/2019 - Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 79-04 - Supersedes DIB 79-03 (HTML) 

10/02/2019 - Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 81-02 - Supersedes DIB 81-01 (HTML)

05/03/2018 - Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 89-01 - Supersedes DIB 89 (PDF)

11/16/2017 - Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 82-06 - Supersedes DIB 82-05 (PDF)

09/12/2017 - Archiving Project Records Utilizing Document Retrieval System (PDF)

12/23/2016 - Implementation of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) (PDF)

07/15/2016 - Implementation of Rock Slope Protection (RSP) Design (PDF)

02/02/2015 - CTC Action on Route Adoptions and New Public Road Connections (PDF)

09/19/2014 - Microstation - Caltrans Standard Drafting Software (PDF)

06/26/2014 - Water Conservation for Highway Construction Projects (PDF)

04/10/2014 - Design Flexibility in Multimodal Design (PDF)

03/11/2014 - Evaluation of Current Planting Work (PDF)

03/04/2014 - Division of Construction CPD 14-1 Water Conservation (PDF)

02/27/2014 - Implementation of Civil 3D (PDF)

11/25/2013 - Electrical Design Standards for Advertised Projects (PDF)

06/07/2013 - Division of Design Policy Updates (PDF)

02/26/2013 - Constructability Reviews (PDF)

10/05/2012 - Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance (PDF)

06/11/2012 - Additional Guidelines on Curb Ramp Scoping and Design (PDF)

01/09/2009 - Small Capital Value Projects - Project Initiation Documents (PDF)

06/16/2008 - Implementing Assembly Bill 1531(PDF)

03/07/2007 - Use of Life Cycle Cost Analyses for Pavements (PDF)

08/11/2006 - Preparing Pending Projects for Advertisement (PDF)

06/16/2006 - Declaration of Units of Measure - "English" or "Metric" Project (PDF)

04/07/2006 - Archiving As-Built Plans (PDF)

01/26/2006 - District Stewardship Responsibilities for Federally Eligible State Highway Projects (PDF)

12/14/2005 - Certification of Project Cost Estimate (PDF)

10/04/2005 - Relinquishment of State Highways by Legislative Enactment (PDF)

09/15/2005 - Engineer Estimates (PDF)

08/02/2005 - U.S. Customary Units (English) Primer (PDF)

04/29/2005 - Cooperative Agreements (PDF)

02/21/2005 - Metric to U.S. Customary Units (English) Transition Team and Website (PDF)

11/17/2004 - Implementation and Distribution of the July 2004 Standard Plans (PDF)

08/27/2004 - CADD Users Manual Update (PDF)

08/20/2004 - Metric to U.S. Customary Units (English) Transition (PDF)

07/30/2004 - Cross-Section Preparation and Delivery (PDF)

06/28/2004 - Longer-Life Pavements (PDF)

06/21/2004 - Bid Item Price Escalation (PDF)

12/16/2003 - Project Shelf Guidance (PDF)

12/09/2003 - Hazardous Material Remediation for Special Funded and Jointly Funded Projects (PDF)

12/05/2003 - Processing of Department Resolutions of Necessity (RON) through the California Transportation Commission (CTC), County Board of Supervisors (Board) or City Councils (Council) (PDF)

10/03/2003 - Revised Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 80 - Roundabouts - RETIRED - See Highway Design Manual Chapter 400 (PDF)

07/23/2003 - Clarification of Value Enhancement for New Public Road Connections to Controlled Access Highways (PDF)

11/26/2002 - Tire Shreds in Civil Engineering Applications (PDF)

11/26/2002 - Resolution of Necessity (First and Second Level Reviews) Guidelines for Local Agencies Performing Work on the State Highway System (PDF)

09/30/2002 - Guidelines for Use of A+B Bidding Provisions (PDF)

09/27/2002 - Reaffirmation of Metric Policy (PDF)

09/25/2002 - Caltrans Storm Water Quality Handbook - Project Planning and Design Guide (PDF)

05/24/2002 - Memorandum of Understanding for Perfection of Title along Existing Segments of Highway Through United States Forest Service Lands in the State of California (HTML)

04/25/2002 - Exception to High and Low Risk Policy for the Statewide Exit Number and Vertical Clearance Sign Projects (PDF)

03/26/2002 - Purpose, Application and Approval Authority for Exceptions to Design Standards (PDF)

12/12/2001 - Designated Disposal, Staging, and Borrow Sites (PDF)

12/10/2001 - Local Agency Guideline for Right of Way Acquisition on State Highway System and Contracting Out (PDF)

08/09/2001 - PSR (PDS) Guidance: Project Initiation Documents for Project Development Support Components PSR (PDS) Exception Fact Sheet (PDF)

03/06/2001 - Use of 200-mm vertical extension on Type 50 Barrier (PDF)

02/28/2001 - Construction Contract Time (PDF)

06/12/2000 - Delegation of Authority for Use of A+B Bidding and Incentive/Disincentive (I/D) Provisions (PDF)

 02/04/1998 - Project Engineer Responsibilities (PDF)

Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit Request ADA compliant Documents