Incorporation of MnDOT roadway Standard Plans – design guidelines
Implementation
This guidance document is to set State Aid design standards for incorporation of MnDOT Roadway Standard Plans, based on the MnDOT new design process for projects let on or after June 1, 2025. Standard Plans show standard details of construction and materials from the Standard Plans Manual, which are approved by the Federal Highway Administration.
MnDOT process
Roadway Standard Plans - Standard Plans will be incorporated into a plan set by reference using a table listing the Standard Plan Sheets (much like Standard Plates). The listed Standard Plans will no longer be sheets in the plan set. Specialty offices that prepare a separate section of the plan set will also prepare a table listing the Standard Plans it is incorporating into the plan set.
On the sheet with the table of Standard Plans listed, there will be a narrative placed above the certification block stating:
THE LISTED STANDARD PLANS AND/OR PLATES ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PLAN SET. THE CERTIFICATION ON THIS SHEET SIGNIFIES THE ENGINEER SELECTED THE STANDARD PLANS AND PLATES AS APPROPRIATE FOR USE ON THE PROJECT.
This language is to indicate the certification on the sheet containing the table is not certifying each of the Standard Plans listed in the table. Modified standard plans cannot be listed in the table and will need to be incorporated into the plan set as sheets. Modified standard plans include Standard Plans modified for a specific project purpose or modified by crossing out details not applicable for a project, removing designer notes, or filling in blanks to complete details. The process for incorporating modified Standard Plans remains unchanged. The Index Spreadsheet (template to create the table) provided on the Standard Plans webpage will indicate which standard plans can and cannot be incorporated by reference in a table.
Please note that other Standard Plans, including box culvert and bridge Standard Plans, will continue to be incorporated into plans.
State Aid process for locally let projects
For projects with work on a Trunk Highway, you will be expected to follow the MnDOT process, and reference all Standard Plans sheets, that are used as published (unless you choose to modify them or if they cannot be referenced as indicated in the Index Spreadsheet (Excel)).
For projects without work on Trunk Highways, cities and counties may use the MnDOT process, or continue to include Standard Plan Sheets in their plan, whichever method the Design Engineer deems appropriate.
Any modified standard plan sheets must still be included in plan sets. Note the guidelines for standard plan sheet modification on the Standard Plates and Plans Guidance webpage.
Questions
For special or unique design considerations, please contact your DSAE for guidance.