Manuals and Guides

Please visit the Policies & Publications Center for a full list of Manuals, Policies & Guides.

The Bureau of Design and Environment (BDE) Manual contains the policies and procedures which govern the location, design, and environmental evaluation of highway construction projects on the state highway system.

Download the BDE Manual in PDF

Navigate to the BDE Procedure Memorandums to view a complete listing of changes.

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IDOT’s Office of Intermodal Project Implementation, via the Bureau of Freight Rail Management, shall publish and maintain guidance that establishes uniform policies and procedures for the planning, environmental review, design, and construction of rail projects identified as part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program.

CREATE Program Manuals

• CREATE Phase I
• CREATE Phase II
• CREATE Phase III

CREATE Program Flow Charts

• CREATE Phase I Flow Process
• CREATE Phase II and Phase III Flow Process
• CREATE Process Flowchart

These drawings and files are specific to individual IDOT districts, click here to view.

Illinois Construction Scheduling Expert System (ICSES) is a Windows-based software program used for planning and scheduling road construction projects. The program is designed to allow users to develop an engineer’s estimate of time required to complete road and bridge construction projects.

The ICSES user manual can also be downloaded here.

These drawings show the details of various construction items and are used in conjunction with the Standard Specifications. The applicable standards are referenced on the cover sheet of the plans. To view the current drawing files and PDF files please click here.

The Survey Manual contains material that is informational and instructional, and sets forth
guidelines and accepted practices to be used by IDOT personnel performing surveying work. To view the current Survey Manual, click here.

The values contained in the tables of this pamphlet provide the data necessary for either the design or the construction layout of the 128 types of transitional approaches to channelized intersections used by the Illinois Division of Highways. Click here to view.