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Technical Guidance


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The Oregon Department of Transportation develops and maintains written guidance to provide technical decision making on ODOT projects.





The guidance below pertains only to the Hydraulic Engineering Program. Visit the technical guidance directory to view ODOT's entire guidance catalog.

Guidance Definitions

Technical directives are mandatory.

These guidance documents are long-term, stand alone documents that provide technical information essential to the overall management of a technical program, its administration or its operation.​

​Technical bulletins are mandatory.

These guidance documents focus on methods, procedures, requirements or guidelines to accomplish operations, and to provide one-time, short- or long-term instruction.

Bulletin information may be incorporated into a manual or a specification during the next update cycle or remain as stand alone guidance. If incorporated into another document, the bulletin is rescinded.

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​Technical advisories are optional.​

These guidance documents provide or describe pertinent information, tools, tips, techniques and best practices. Advisories aim to enhance existing practices and procedures and to aid in technical decision-making.

Directives, bulletins and manuals take precedence over advisories.

These guidance documents are used to communicate project delivery policies to ensure consistency throughout ODOT. Operational notices identify best practices for project delivery activities.

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​Division directives are mandatory.​

These guidance documents are used as operational policy for ODOT Delivery & Operations Division staff and consultants. Directives pertain to all areas of the division, and indicate how the division will respond to a given issue.