Highway Plans and Specifications

Plans and specifications are set of documents of instructions and conditions under which
highways and bridges are built. The plan contains engineering drawings of the project, whereas, the
specifications is a written instructions and conditions considered as integral part of the contract
between the contractor and highway agency classified as legal documents.

The complete detailed scheme for the road which are incorporated in the geometry design are:

1. Traffic
2. Drainage
3. Erosion control
4. Roadside development
5. Structure
6. Soils
7. Pavement

Presentation of a Road Plan

1. The upper sheet is allocated for the plan, top view showing the horizontal alignment, right of way
talking, drainage arrangement and other features.
2. The lower half is allotted to the profile where the original elevation of the ground surface is
plotted. The roadway centerline and the vertical alignment or grade line for the road is indicated.
3. The vertical scale of the profile is usually exaggeratedly enlarged from five to ten times for
precise detail.
4. The profile and other detail of the drainage, channels or connecting roads including rumps are
also presented.
5. The estimated earthworks quantities for every 50 meters stations or other intervals are indicated
along the bottom each sheet along with the estimated overhead. This will serve the engineer and
the contractor.
6. The roadway cross sections for every situation in the whole project stretch is indicated on
another sheet of the plan.
7. Another sheet of drawings showing all structures and roadway appurtenances is included.
8. The standard size of the drawing sheet is 55 cm x 90 cm.
Partial list of subjects covered by the standard drawing:

1. Pipe culverts.
2. Concrete box culverts.
3. Guard rail and parapet.
4. Curbs.
5. Gutters.
6. Curb structures
7. Sidewalks
8. Drainage inlet and outlet structures of numerous type.
9. Manholes.
10. Rip-rap and other devices used for bank protection.
11. Fences and right of way.
12. Other surveys markers.

The specifications

Specifications written is generally different and a delicate work requiring knowledge of the law
of contracts as well as highway practices and experiences. Specifications that are carelessly written and
loosely worded may result in the use of substandard materials and poor workmanship. Mostly, it
involves extra cost to the owner or the contractor and sometimes landed in court litigations. The other
hand, specifications that are too restrictive are very costly.

Highway Specifications is Divided into Two:

1. Standard specifications applies to project implemented by administration which treat the subject
that repeatedly occurs in the agency work.
2.