Updated Design Guidance

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The following design guidance has been updated:

Seismic Design Code (SDC) v2.0.

  • Effective September 1, 2019 all ordinary bridges that have not completed the type selection phase shall be designed in accordance with Caltrans Seismic Design Code Version 2.0 (SDC v2.0).
  • All projects that have completed the type selection phase before September 1, 2019 shall have the option to either continue using the SDC version approved at the time of the type selection phase or may use SDC 2.0 at the discretion of the local agency. 
  • All LBSRP (Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program) and Highway Bridge Program (HBP) voluntary seismic projects shall use the SDC which was current at the time of the approved Strategy Meeting.
  • If the approved strategy for the preceding seismic projects was bridge replacement or the bridge was programmed as replacement in the HBP it will follow the guidance for the type selection phase.

2018 Standard Plans and Specifications

  • Projects with NEPA cleared after September 30, 2019 must use the 2018 Standard Plans and Specifications (SPS).  Projects with NEPA clearance prior to September 30, 2019 may use the 2018 SPS or the version at the time of clearance at the discretion of the local agency.

Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) for roadside safety hardware devices

  • California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) adopted an implementation schedule whereby bridge railings on projects on the State Highway System advertised on or after October 31, 2019, must comply with MASH criteria for all new permanent installations and full replacements.  All local agency administered federal-aid transportation projects will follow the same criteria.  Local projects off the State system may use Caltrans MASH approved or MASH approved railings by other states or agencies.
  • Projects advertised prior to October 31, 2019 may use MASH approved rails, or NCHRP, or Caltrans approved rails.

Refer to the following links for more details:

For additional information, contact HBP managers or Linda Newton at (916) 651-0022 or linda.newton@dot.ca.gov.

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