Roadway Design

Design Standards and Manuals

• Roadway Design Manual
  • Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 Introduction
  • Chapter 2 Elements of Design 
  • Chapter 3 Design Elements
  • Appendix 4D
  • Chapter 5 Requirements for Projects with Federal Funding
  • Design Process Updates
  • Environmentally Sensitive Roadway Design Guidelines
• Pima County Roadway and Development Street Standards Manual (Draft)
• Transit Guidelines
• Bus Stop Guidelines 
• Landscape and Irrigation Procedures
• Signing and Pavement Marking Manual (Effective December 15, 2020)
• Street Lighting and ITS Conduit Design Manual 2011
• Traffic Signal Design Manual
• Subdivision Development Street Standards (Amended 11/22/17)
• Approved treatments conforming to Subdivision and Development Street Standards Section 4.17 
• Bridge Scour and Freeboard Guidelines, 2012 
• Material Sampling Guide Schedule 

Pima County Department of Transportation has adopted Pima Association of Governments (PAG) 2015 Standard Specifications and Details for Public Improvements.  Printed copies of the specifications and details may be purchased from PAG at https://apps.pagnet.org/standardspecifications/Default.aspx 

PCDOT Standard Details

(Supersedes corresponding PAG Details)

• Dtl 1A Knuckle Design Alternative 1 
• Dtl 1B Knuckle Design Alternative 2
• Dtl 2 Typical Traffic Circle Design
• Dtl 3 Traffic Calming and Speed Management Options
• Dtl 4A Standard Cul-de-sac
• Dtl 4B Offset Cul-de-sac
• Dtl 4C Traffic Calming and Speed Management Options
• Dtl 5 Turnarounds
• Dtl 6 Gated Entrance
• Dtl 7 Minimum Tangent Section At Intersection
• Dtl 8 Control Monument
• Dtl 9 Two -Lane Commercial Driveway with Return RADII 
• Dtl 10 Curb Opening Detail
• PC Std Dtl 103 Survey Monument
• PC Std Dtl 104 Control Monument (UNDER DEVELOPMENT)
• PC Std Dtl 120 Preservation Fence (Type A)
• PC Std Dtl 121 Preservation Fence (Type B)
• PC Std Dtl 207 Curb Access Ramp

 

PCDOT Standard Details (Historical)

• Standard Details for Public Improvements - City of Tucson/Pima County (2003 edition)

 

Plan Sheet Standards - Sample Construction Plans

These plan sheets are provided by the Department of Transportation as samples showing the preferred layout and general notes that should be used on plans submitted to our department. These sample plans sheets are provided in both PDF and as CAD design files.

• Sample Cover Sheet PDF    
• General Notes Sheet PDF
• ITS Conduit General Notes Sheet PDF
• Plan and Profile Sheet PDF
• Pavement Marking General Notes PDF
• Signing General Notes PDF
• Street Lighting General Notes PDF
• Traffic Signal General Notes PDF

Download samples plans as CAD design files.

Public Art

Pima County has had a percent-for-art policy since 1990. The program integrates artworks and the ideas of artists into a variety of public settings, advancing Pima County’s reputation as a cultural center for innovation and creativity.

The public art administrative procedures specify that 1% of construction cost of county capital improvement project funds be set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of artworks in a variety of settings. By providing opportunities for individuals to encounter art in parks, libraries, community centers, on roadways, bridges and other public venues, we simultaneously enrich citizens' daily lives and give voice to artists.




The Pima County public art collection includes more than 100 permanently sited and integrated works. Artworks are commissioned through a public process that is facilitated by the Tucson Pima Arts Council. Panels comprised of professional visual artists along with community representatives evaluate the artist applicants. The county stewards and maintains its artworks through an ongoing program of coordinated conservation activities, which include inspections, major restorative work and routine maintenance.





Arts Foundation for Southern Arizona (520) 624-0595
Transportation Public Art Coordinator (520) 724-6383



 

Standard and Supplemental Specifications

Pima County public roadway improvement projects are to be constructed in accordance with the most recent version of the Pima Association of Governments Standard Specifications for Public Improvements and Pima County Department of Transportation Supplemental Specifications.

Supplemental Specifications are department additions and modifications to the Standard Specifications. There are two types of Supplemental Specifications: Section and Item. A Section supplemental is used to modify or add a section or subsection to the Standard Specifications. An Item supplemental is used to provide specifications for department bid items. 
 
 
                                                                 Latest Standard and Supplemental Specifications

Special Provisions

Special Provisions are specifications that cover work unique to a project and not adequately explained on the project plans or in the Standard or Supplemental Specifications. Special Provisions may take the form of either a Section or Item specification and require approval of the department. 
 
                                                                         Special Provision Guidelines and Format 
                                                                             Archived Project Special Provisions

  
For additional information, contact Pima County Department of Transportation at 724-6410.

Native Plant Salvage Program

The Pima County Department of Transportation (PCDOT), through the Native Plant Salvage Program (NPSP), offers governmental agencies and non-profit native plant organizations the opportunity to salvage native plants that will conflict with new construction.

See Native Plant Salvage Program for more information.