Design guidance & support

Standard Plans

Plan Sheet Library

Standard Specifications

Design policy and guidance

Project Delivery Memos are interim updates that supersede policy in the Design Manual.

Design bulletins provide clarifications or instructions of the existing policy. 

Complete Streets provides general information, links and region lead contacts associated with Complete Streets.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has provided clarification regarding the application of Buy America requirements (PDF 88KB).  

The Development Division has published a policy regarding electronic signatures (PDF 344KB) 

Project Delivery Method Selection Guidance

One of the first steps in project delivery is to determine the most appropriate project delivery method. The Project Delivery Selection Guidance (PDMSG) aids WSDOT staff in selecting delivery method based on each the project's attributes, opportunities and risks.  

Design documentation

The Context and Modal Accommodation Report (CMAR) and Basis of Design (BOD) are used to record the decisions made during the design process to answer the question, “Why did you do that?”.

Context and modal accommodation (CMAR)

Use the Context & Modal accommodation report (DOCX 204KB) template to record land use and transportation characteristics that affect modal accommodation and determining modal priority. The report can be done during the scoping or pre-design phase to shape the context section of the Basis of Design. Refer to the CMAR learner's guide (PDF 784KB) for guidance on documenting transportation context.

Basis of Design (BOD)

The Basis of Design, Version 2.2 (DOCX 40KB) gets to the core of practical decision making by defining the needs and context that are used to shape the project’s design controls, alternatives and design elements. The Basis of Design is completed near the beginning of a project. 

A few projects have templates that are specific to those project types.  These templates have the baseline needs completed but need to be customized for the specific project:

• Basis of Design - Fish, Version 2.2 (DOCX 80KB)
• Basis of Design - Compact Roundabout, Version 2.2 (DOCX 57KB)

Basis of Estimate (BOE)

The Basis of Estimate, BOE is an integral, and required, element of project cost estimating. The BOE is used to track and document changes to the project scope, cost, and schedule. This documentation is important because over time a project may have many engineers, design staff, and multiple estimators involved. The BOE provides a record of a project’s evolution of estimated cost and an updated BOE is required for each updated cost estimate.

Both a MS word and Excel version of the BOE are provided so people can choose their preferred format. The template can be customized by users for their specific project:

• Basis of Estimate (DOCX 34KB)
• Basis of Estimate (XLSX 446KB)

Design documentation

The Design Documentation Package (DDP) consist of:

• Design Approval (or Conceptual Design Approval for design-build projects)
• Project Development Approval
• DDP Supporting Documents

For design-build projects, use the DDP Checklist - DB, Version 1.5 (DOCX 55KB). The content of the DDP is fixed for every project and retained for 75 years. 

To complete the DDP checklist, you will need the following:

• Project Memo - DBB, Version 2.2 (DOCX 39KB) (for design-bid-build projects)
• Project Memo - DB, Version 2.1 (DOCX 37KB) (for design-build projects)
• Design Clear Zone Inventory form (XLSX 21KB)
• Design Parameters (XLSX 33KB)
• Design Analysis, Version 1.3 (DOCX 31KB)
• Design Decision - CS Deferral, Version 1.5 (DOCX 71KB)
• Design Decision - CS Deferral - Fish Passage, Version 1.4 (DOCX 60KB)
• Maximum Extent Feasible (MEF) template, Version 2.1 (XLSX 1MB)
• Plan for Approval Checklist, Version 1 (DOCX 28KB)

The Project File Checklist (DOCX 21KB) contains project documentation that is deemed necessary by the project engineer, but is not contained in the DDP.  Project File items are retained for three years after the final contract voucher.

The design documentation process is covered in depth in Chapter 300 of the WSDOT Design Manual. Documentation that has been loaded into ECM can be accessed through the PMRS Project Design search tool (PDF 1.05MB)

The Design Parameter Worksheet (DPW) is intended to serve as the document that designers use to indicate if the design elements for your project meet the WSDOT Design Manual. You can continue using the existing version of the worksheet (linked above) for current projects, but for new projects, please use one of the two beta versions of a new automated Design Parameter Worksheet (DPW).

As they are Beta versions, please let your Assistant Design Engineer (ASDE) know how well it worked for your projects and if you found any incorrect references. 

• Design Parameter Worksheet (DPW) (XLSM 422KB) that aligns with the 2023 Design Manual.
• Design Parameter Worksheet (DPW) (XLSM 437KB) that aligns with the 2024 Design Manual.

Signature pages for approval

Some of the DDP requires approval signatures.  For consistency in approval format and to improve filing, use the following signature pages:

Access Revision Report signature page (DOCX 41KB)

Non-Access Feasibility Study signature page (DOCX 40KB)

Pre-design fish passage

Use the Fish passage pre-design guidance (PDF 204KB) prior to beginning of Preliminary Engineering for delivering a fish passage project in the pre-design phase. Use as a resource for team alignment, pre-design planning, and general best practices for fish passage delivery.

Proprietary item use

See the Plans Preparation Manual 700.01(6) section for guidance on competitive bidding, proprietary items, and the use of the Qualified Products List (QPL). Blanket proprietary certifications are available for some products.

• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - Gibraltar MASH16 TL-4 Cable System (PDF 211KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - Road Zipper (PDF 121KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - Mobile Barriers MBT-1 (PDF118KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - Welded Wire Faced Structural Earth Wall (PDF194KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - Rapid Cure Silicone Sealant Expansion Joint System (PDF 192KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - Neenah Foundry Company Deck Drains (PDF 191KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - STRATA Sleeve-It® Fence Post Anchor System (PDF 170KB)
• WSDOT Certified for 07/01/23 – 06/30/25 Biennium
  Statewide Blanket Approval - ITS Equipment and Software (PDF 521KB)

Professional liability assessment tool for design-build projects

As part of the determination of professional liability insurance (PLI) coverage associated with Design-Build contracts outlined in Project Delivery Memo #21-03, all Design-Build projects that have not published Request for Qualifications documents are expected to conduct a risk assessment using the agency’s Design-Build Professional Liability: Assessment of Project Risk Level spreadsheet (XLSX 142KB).    

The instructions for populating this spreadsheet are provided with the companion Design-Build Professional Liability: Assessment of Project Risk Level Guidance (PDF 765KB). The assessment tool is intended to provide a general risk profile to assist with making informed decisions about PLI coverage.

Training and other resources

Find design training opportunities and resources.

Design documentation (PDF 4.54MB) and design analysis training (PDF 10.5MB) is available from your Assistant State Design Engineer covering the design documentation process and how to write a design analysis. WSDOT employees can access The Learning Center on insideDOT for the next available class.

Use this Buy America Waiver request template (DOCX 37KB) as detailed in section 700.01(7) of the Plans Preparation Manual.

A sag vertical curve minimum length calculator (XLSX 22KB) has been created to assist in the computation of the minimum length of sag vertical curves in accordance with Exhibit 1220-1 of the Design Manual. 

This Chicane Fastest Path Curve Design Speeds chart (PDF 293KB) with instructions has been created to assist Roundabout Designers in designing chicanes based on fastest path speed control.

WSDOT/American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) - WA Executive Liaison Committee

WSDOT/ACEC-WA Executive Liaison Committee includes representatives from both WSDOT HQ Design and ACEC. These teams meet, discuss and serve as a resource for establishing Design policy, procedures and process improvement. 

Visualization services

Visualization services provide design and delivery goals through visual media made with a wide range of 3D modeling, animation, video and other graphic software packages.

These productions communicate and build project team relationships with your partners and public alike while achieving greater consent gathering success. From planning and communication to design and construction, these products & productions are strategic to project success.

Plans review 

Review guidance and checklists

Use the Plans Preparation checklist (PDF 389KB) to organize and ensure items required for the project are included.

For reviewing items needed for your completed project, use the Plans, Specifications and Estimates checklist (DOCX 26KB). Contact your region plans office for a region specific checklist.

Calculation sheets

• Lump Sum Traffic Control Risk Assessment (XLSX 28KB)
• Design liquidated damages calculation sheet (XLSM 160KB)
• Steel cost price adjustment worksheet (XLSX 27KB)
• Construction escalation clauses

Plans, specifications and estimates quality management

Find guidance and technical support (PDF 156KB) for quality management initiatives for design projects. This process is a value added initiative to establish statewide standards of quality and limit unnecessary project schedule and budget overruns, and reduce change orders. Quality management is an integral component of project management and a natural complement to Cost Risk Estimating Management.

The WSDOT constructability review process (PDF 1.32MB) is designed to help improve the level of constructability of a project. The most important benefits expected from the CRP are the achievement of an efficient project development process and the realization of a cost-effective project that is biddable, buildable and maintainable.

The constructability review best practices guide (PDF 2.1MB) has been developed to provide information to the AASHTO member states that can be used to develop a constructability review process that will meet the needs of their individual transportation agency.

Assistant State Design Engineers and Liaisons
Find your ASDE Region assignments (PDF 89KB)

Deputy State Design Engineer
Mike Fleming, PE
Michael.Fleming@wsdot.wa.gov
360-705-7233

Assistant State Design Engineers
Daniele Dunjic, PE
Daniele.Dunjic@wsdot.wa.gov
360-705-7237

Kevin Miller, PE
Kevin.Miller@wsdot.wa.gov
360-600-1638 

Joanna Lowrey, PE
Joanna.Lowrey@wsdot.wa.gov
360-480-8026

Rafael Reyes, PE
Rafael.Reyes@wsdot.wa.gov
360-259-6713

Kenneth Loen
Kenneth.Loen@wsdot.wa.gov
425-507-3900

Courtney Soderquist
Courtney.Soderquist@wsdot.wa.gov
360-701-4735
 

Design Liaison
Samih Shilbayeh, PE
Samih.Shilbayeh@wsdot.wa.gov
360-705-7589