Public Works Design Standards and Guidelines

We have information about roadway design standards and guidelines for the City of Boston.

Page Sections

You can download pdf and cad files below. We'll continue to update this page as our standards, guidelines, and designs change.

Still have questions? Contact:
Public Works

617-635-4900

send an email

1 City Hall Square
Room 714

Boston, MA 02201-2024
United States
Have questions? Contact:

Public Works - Engineering Division
617-635-4968
PWDEngineering@boston.gov
1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 710

BOSTON, MA 02201-2024

Roadway Design Standards and Guidelines

Typical Plans and Cross Sections

Roadway Design Standards

Transportation Department guidance and standards

Roadway Standard Details

PDF files	CAD files
A.1 - Bollard - Steel (pdf)	A.1 - Bollard - Steel (zip)
C.1 - Curb - Granite Reset (pdf)	C.1 - Curb - Granite Reset (zip)
C.2 - Curb - Granite Sloped (pdf)	C.2 - Curb - Granite Sloped (zip)
C.3 - Curb - Mountable (pdf)	C.3 - Curb - Mountable (zip)
C.4 - Curb - Granite Curb at Back of Sidewalk (pdf)	C.4 - Curb - Granite Curb at Back of Sidewalk (zip)
C.5 - Curb - Granite Block Hip Gutter (pdf)	C.5 - Curb - Granite Block Hip Gutter (zip)
D.1 - Driveway - Residential (pdf)	D.1 - Driveway - Residential (zip)
D.2 - Driveway - Commercial (pdf)	D.2 - Driveway - Commercial (zip)
D.3 - Driveway - Sidewalk Width Less Than 7' (pdf)	D.3 - Driveway - Sidewalk Width Less Than 7' (zip)
P.1 - Pavement Section - Arterial Roadway (pdf)	P.1 - Pavement Section - Arterial Roadway (zip)
P.2 - Pavement Section - Residential Roadway (pdf)	P.2 - Pavement Section - Residential Roadway (zip)
P.3 - Pavement Section - Scored Cement Concrete (pdf)	P.3 - Pavement Section - Scored Cement Concrete (zip)
R.2 - Pedestrian Ramp - Sidewalk Width 6.5' and Greater (pdf)	R.2 - Pedestrian Ramp - Sidewalk Width 6.5' And Greater
R.3 - Pedestrian Ramp - Sidewalk Width Less Than 6.5' (pdf)	R.3 - Pedestrian Ramp - Sidewalk Width Less Than 6.5' (zip)
R.4 - Pedestrian Ramp - Sidewalk With Non-Walking Area (pdf)	R.4 - Pedestrian Ramp - Sidewalk With Non-Walking Area (zip)
R.5 - Pedestrian Ramp - Detectable Warning Panel (pdf)	R.5 - Pedestrian Ramp - Detectable Warning Panel (zip)
S.1 - Sidewalk - Concrete (pdf)	S.1 - Sidewalk - Concrete (zip)
S.2 - Sidewalk - Brick (pdf)	S.2 - Sidewalk - Brick (zip)
S.3 - Sidewalk and Driveway - HMA (pdf)	S.3 - Sidewalk and Driveway - HMA (zip)
S.4 - Sidewalk - Permeable Paver (pdf)	S.4 - Sidewalk - Permeable Paver (zip)
S.5 - Sidewalk - Tree Pit (4' x 6') (pdf)	S.5 - Sidewalk - Tree Pit (4' x 6') (zip)
S.6 - Sidewalk - Tree Pit (3' x 8') (pdf)	S.6 - Sidewalk - Tree Pit (3' x 8') (zip)
U.1 - Utility - Concrete Encased Conduit (pdf)	U.1 - Utility - Concrete Encased Conduit (zip)
U.2 - Shadow Conduit (pdf)	U.2 - Shadow Conduit (zip)
U.3 - Utility - Fire Alarm Base (pdf)	U.3 - Utility - Fire Alarm Base (zip)

Green Infrastructure Standard Details

Green Infrastructure

Right-of-Way Standard Details

PDF Files	CAD Files
0 - Table of Contents.1	Table of Contents (Zip)
0 - Table of Contents.2
1 G.101 - Curb Cut Inlet	G.101 Curb Cut Inlet (Zip)
2 G.101 - Curb Cut Inlet
3 G.102 - Granite Cobble Paver Splash Pad	G.102 - Granite Cobble Paver Splash Pad (Zip)
4 G.103 - Washed River Stone Splash Pad	G.103 - Washed River Stone Splash Pad (Zip)
5 G.105 - Prefabricated Trench Drain with Grate	G.105 - Prefabricated Trench Drain with Grate (Zip)
6 G.106 - Cast-in-Place Trench Drain with Grate	G.106 - Cast-in-Place Trench Drain with Grate (Zip)
7 G.107 - Precast Concrete End Section For Trench Drain	G.107 - Precast Concrete End Section for Trench Drain (Zip)
8 G.108 - Curb Casting for Trench Drain	G.108 - Curb Casting for Trench Drain (Zip)
9 G.120 - General Notes for Porous Pavement Systems	G.120 - General Notes for Porous Pavement Systems (Zip)
10 G.121 - Typical Porous Asphalt Section with Distribution Pipe	G.121 - Typical Porous Asphalt Section with Distribution Pipe (Zip)
11 G.122 - Typical Porous Asphalt Section with Underdrain	G.122 - Typical Porous Asphalt Section with Underdrain (Zip)
12 G.123 - Typical Porous Concrete Section	G.123 - Typical Porous Concrete Section (Zip)
13 G.124 - Permeable Rubber Paving or Resin Bound Aggregate Section	G.124 - Permeable Rubber Paving or Resin Bound Aggregate Section (Zip)
14 G.125 - Resin Bound Aggregate or Permeable Rubber Paving at Proposed Trees	G.125 - Resin Bound Aggregate or Permeable Rubber Paving at Proposed Trees (Zip)
15 G.126 - Resin Bound Aggregate or Permeable Rubber Paving at Existing Trees	G.126 - Resin Bound Aggregate or Permeable Rubber Paving at Existing Trees (Zip)
16 G.127 - Impermeable Liner	G.127 - Impermeable Liner (Zip)
17 G.201 - PVC Drain Basin	G.201 - PVC Drain Basin (Zip)
18 G.202 - Drain Cleanout	G.202 - Drain Cleanout (Zip)
19 G.220 - Stone for Pipe Ends	G.220 - Stone for Pipe Ends (Zip)
20 G.221 - Sediment Forebay at Pipe Inlet	G.221 - Sediment Forebay at Pipe Inlet (Zip)
21 G.222 - Mini-Forebay with Weir at Curb Inlet	G.222 - Mini-Forebay with Weir at Curb Inlet (Zip)
22 G.223 - Mini-Forebay with Check Dam at Curb Inlet	22 G.223 - Mini-Forebay with Check Dam at Curb Inlet (Zip)
23 G.224 - Stone Diaphragm	G.224 - Stone Diaphragm (Zip)
24 G.301 - Granite Curb for Green Infrastructure Near Sidewalk	G.301 - Granite Curb for Green Infrastructure Near Sidewalk (Zip)
25 G.302 - Granite Curb for Green Infrastructure Near Roadway	G.302 - Granite Curb for Green Infrastructure Near Roadway (Zip)
26 G.303 - Low Metal Fence at Green Infrastructure	G.303 - Low Metal Fence at Green Infrastructure (Zip)
27 G.303 - Low Metal Fence at Green Infrastructure
28 G.302 - Special Light Pole Foundation	G.302 - Special Light Pole Foundation
29 G.304 - Special Light Pole Foundation	G.304 - Special Light Pole Foundation (Zip)
30 G.320 - Bioretention Section	G.320 - Bioretention Section (Zip)
31 G.321 - Bioswale Section	G.321 - Bioswale Section (Zip)
32 G322 - Vegetated Swale Section	G322 - Vegetated Swale Section (Zip)
33 G.330 - Stone Infiltration Trench	G.330 - Stone Infiltration Trench (Zip)
34 G.331 - Sand Based Structural Soil Infiltration Trench Non-Porous Pavement	G.331 - Sand Based Structural Soil Infiltration Trench Non-Porous Pavement (Zip)
35 G.332 - Sand Based Structural Soil Infiltration Trench with Porous Pavement	G.332 - Sand Based Structural Soil Infiltration Trench with Porous Pavement (Zip)
36 G.360 - Seeded Bioretention Area	G.360 - Seeded Bioretention Area (Zip)
37 G.361 - Shrub, Ornamental Grass, Perennial, and Groundcover Planting	G.361 - Shrub, Ornamental Grass, Perennial, and Groundcover Planting (Zip)
38 G.362 - Stormwater Tree Planting	G.362 - Stormwater Tree Planting (Zip)
39 G.401 - Piled Stone Check Dam	G.401 - Piled Stone Check Dam (Zip)
40 G.402 - Granite or Concrete Weir	G.402 - Granite or Concrete Weir (Zip)
41 G.402 - Granite or Concrete Weir
42 G.403 - Metal Weir	G.403 - Metal Weir (Zip)
43 G.403 - Metal Weir
44 G.410 - Beehive Grate	G.410 - Beehive Grate (Zip)
45 G.501 - Tree ProtectionArmoring and Pruning	G.501 Tree ProtectionArmoring and Pruning (Zip)
46 G.502 - Tree and Plant Protection Fence	G.502 Tree and Plant Protection Fence (Zip)
47 G.502 - Tree and Plant Protection Fence

Right-of-Way Special Provisions

Special provisions

Public Works standard construction specifications

Still have questions? Contact:
Public Works

617-635-4900

send an email

1 City Hall Square
Room 714

Boston, MA 02201-2024
United States
Have questions? Contact:

Public Works - Engineering Division
617-635-4968
PWDEngineering@boston.gov
1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 710

BOSTON, MA 02201-2024

PDF	Word Doc
102.55 - Arborist	102.55 - Arborist
102.511 - Tree Protection - Armoring and Pruning	102.511 - Tree Protection - Armoring and Pruning
102.514 - Hand Excavation Within Root Zone	102.514 - Hand Excavation Within Root Zone
102.521 - Tree and Plant Protection Fence	102.521 - Tree and Plant Protection Fence
154.02 - Sand Borrow	154.02 - Sand Borrow
156.02 - Washed No. 2 Stone	156.02 - Washed No. 2 Stone
156.03 - Washed No. 3 Stone	156.03 - Washed No. 3 Stone
156.08 - Washed No, 8 Stone	156.08 - Washed No, 8 Stone
156.057 - Washed No. 57 Stone	156.057 - Washed No. 57 Stone
158.01 - Washed River Stone	158.01 - Washed River Stone
191.62 - Percolation Testing	191.62 - Percolation Testing
222.508, 222.512, 222.524 - Beehive Grates	222.508, 222.512, 222.524 - Beehive Grates
222.608, 222.612, 222.624 - Drain Frame and Grate	222.608, 222.612, 222.624 - Drain Frame and Grate
228.1 - Cleanout with Frame and Cover	228.1 - Cleanout with Frame and Cover
229.12 - Curb Casting for 12in Trench Drain	229.12 - Curb Casting for 12in Trench Drain
245.12 - Precast Concrete End Section For 12 Inch Trench Drain	245.12 - Precast Concrete End Section For 12 Inch Trench Drain
251.308, 251.312, 251.324 - Solid Drain Basin (Riser)	251.308, 251.312, 251.324 - Solid Drain Basin (Riser)
251.508, 251.512, 251.524 - Perforated Drain Basin (Infiltration Riser)	251.508, 251.512, 251.524 - Perforated Drain Basin (Infiltration Riser)
251.708, 251.712, 251.724 - Solid PVC Pipe	251.708, 251.712, 251.724 - Solid PVC Pipe
251.908, 251.912, 251.924 - Perforated PVC Pipe	251.908, 251.912, 251.924 - Perforated PVC Pipe
252.08, 252.12, 252.24 - Corrugated Plastic Pipe	252.08, 252.12, 252.24 - Corrugated Plastic Pipe
269.08, 269.12, 269.24 - Slot-Perforated Corrugated Plastic Pipe (Subdrain)	269.08, 269.12, 269.24 - Slot-Perforated Corrugated Plastic Pipe (Subdrain)
272.12 - Trench Drain With Grate-Cast-in-Place	272.12 - Trench Drain With Grate-Cast-in-Place
273.12 - Trench Drain with Grate-Prefabricated	273.12 - Trench Drain with Grate-Prefabricated
283.1 - Granite Weir	283.1 - Granite Weir
283.2 - Concrete Weir	283.2 - Concrete Weir
283.3 - Metal Weir	283.3 - Metal Weir
461.1, 461.2 - Porous Asphalt - Base Course and Surface Course	461.1, 461.2 - Porous Asphalt - Base Course and Surface Course
508.1 - Granite Curb 6"x24" Depth - Straight 508.2 - Granite Curb 6"x24" Depth - Curved 508.3 - Granite Curb 6"x12" Depth	508.1 - Granite Curb 6"x24" Depth - Straight 508.2 - Granite Curb 6"x24" Depth - Curved 508.3 - Granite Curb 6"x12" Depth
508.4 - Slope to Vertical Granite Transition Curb	508.4 - Slope to Vertical Granite Transition Curb
656.1 - Low Metal Fence - Surface Mount 656.2 - Low Metal Fence - Direct Bury	656.1 - Low Metal Fence - Surface Mount 656.2 - Low Metal Fence - Direct Bury
701.3 - Precast Porous Concrete Paving Slabs	701.3 - Precast Porous Concrete Paving Slabs
705.41 - Washed River Stone Splash Pad	705.41 - Washed River Stone Splash Pad
705.42 - Granite Cobble Paver Splash Pad	705.42 - Granite Cobble Paver Splash Pad
706.91 - Preamble Rubber Pavement	706.91 - Preamble Rubber Pavement
706.92 - Resin Bound Aggregate Surfacing	706.92 - Resin Bound Aggregate Surfacing
752.1 - Planting Soil	752.1 - Planting Soil
753.1 - Bioretention Soil	753.1 - Bioretention Soil
754.1 - Sand Based Structural Soil	754.1 - Sand Based Structural Soil
765.21 - Annual Cover Crop for Native Seeding	765.21 - Annual Cover Crop for Native Seeding
765.446 - Low Growing Basin Seed Mix	765.446 - Low Growing Basin Seed Mix
765.447 - Mid-Height Basin Seed Mix	765.447 - Mid-Height Basin Seed Mix
767.9 - Jute Mesh	767.9 - Jute Mesh
797.20X, 797.25S, 797.30x, 798.10X, 798.20X. 798.30X, 799.04X, 799.10X, 799.20X, 799.80X, 799.90X - Trees, Shrubs, Perennials	797.20X, 797.25S, 797.30x, 798.10X, 798.20X. 798.30X, 799.04X, 799.10X, 799.20X, 799.80X, 799.90X - Trees, Shrubs, Perennials
812.159 - Special Light Pole Foundation at Bioretention Area	812.159 - Special Light Pole Foundation at Bioretention Area